- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: John Murray; New Ed edition (15 Mar 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0719565170
- ISBN-13: 978-0719565175
- Product Dimensions: 19.3 x 12.7 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 470,953 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
'Patrick Moon, who inherited his neglected and remote house in the Languedoc region of southern France, writes with flair ! He is befriended by Virgile, a young local winemaker, who offers to teach him everything he knows about wine-making from the field to the cellar. The result is a fascinating seasonal tour' -- Daily Mail 20030523 'Patrick Moon finds himself living in one of the world's "happening" wine places and there are, as there must be in this sort of book, a good bunch of locals. Unlike the usual enthusiastic refugees from the north, Moon conducts himself with a mixture of surprise and reluctance. Like the wine, everything flows richly and generously from there' -- Sunday Times 20030420 'Rather superior and enjoyably informative ! Moon follows the progress of Virgile, a dedicated if penurious young wine-maker. Manu, a rarely sober producer of the old vinegary school, provides comic relief. In his roundabout way, Moon conveys a host of information about this fascinating corner of France and its main product' -- Independent 20030526 'Full of interesting characters and a fresh view on a fast-evolving region from an outsider who loves wine and is prepared to learn why one bottle, vineyard or estate differs so dramatically from another' -- Wine Magazine 20030501 'When Moon inherits a house in the Languedoc, he has no idea it will lead to a crash course in wine-making and a hilarious introduction to French hospitality ! The story is in turns funny, moving and instructional, with a wisdom that rises from every chapter and glassful. A delightful journal of calamity and discovery' -- Good Book Guide 20030501
The Week
'An entertaining account of the Languedoc's "wine revolution".'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this as a wine enthusiast. In his year off in the Languedoc Patrick Moon was lucky to come across Virgile who needed every spare pair of hands in his struggle to produce wines in the traditional way, true to the terroir - rather than selling out as bulk production to the local co-operative. After reading the book I was pleased to see that Virgile's 2001 is one of the few Coteaux de Languedoc to be awarded 2 stars in a leading 2004 French wine guide.
While vines and wine making are at the heart of the book, its appeal is far wider. the fun really starts when the bottles get opened - usually at the instigation of Moon's neighbour and self-appointed wine guide, Manu. The tone of the book is set at their first encounter over a bottle of next door's home made at 10 am on a January morning. Despite all the pleasure of the seemingly endless tastings, one can't help feeling some sympathy for the author in the face of the ever cunning Manu - a cat and mouse game in which Moon is always the mouse. In his helplessness he emerges as the real hero of the book. A great read for anyone loving wine, food, France or just humour.
While vines and wine making are at the heart of the book, its appeal is far wider. the fun really starts when the bottles get opened - usually at the instigation of Moon's neighbour and self-appointed wine guide, Manu. The tone of the book is set at their first encounter over a bottle of next door's home made at 10 am on a January morning. Despite all the pleasure of the seemingly endless tastings, one can't help feeling some sympathy for the author in the face of the ever cunning Manu - a cat and mouse game in which Moon is always the mouse. In his helplessness he emerges as the real hero of the book. A great read for anyone loving wine, food, France or just humour.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I picked up this book in a French book-shop. Reading the reviewing comments on the rear cover prompted me to purchase it, at a cost of 12 euros. Alas if ever there was a case of the journey being far more exciting than the arrival, then this was a case in point, except that the journey never got above the normal pulse rate.
After a slow start it got even slower, most of the characters, Manu, Krystina, Virgil and Madame Gros were not believable. Nobody can possibly be so naive - especially not a lawyer - as the author appeared to be. I detected familiar plots in parts of a rather dull story line. I kept hoping that the author would do something to snap me out of my boredom, I awaited in vain. At the end of two weeks I still had not finished reading it - despite being kept indoors by horrendous weather - preferring travel flyers, brochures etc. Having read a number of books connected to France as seen through the eyes of a British writer, I am usually left with a curiosity for the area written about...on this occasion I was just glad I managed to finish the book, but I did so want to enjoy it.
This is just 'another book on France' but with nothing out of the ordinary to justify its publishing...or price.
After a slow start it got even slower, most of the characters, Manu, Krystina, Virgil and Madame Gros were not believable. Nobody can possibly be so naive - especially not a lawyer - as the author appeared to be. I detected familiar plots in parts of a rather dull story line. I kept hoping that the author would do something to snap me out of my boredom, I awaited in vain. At the end of two weeks I still had not finished reading it - despite being kept indoors by horrendous weather - preferring travel flyers, brochures etc. Having read a number of books connected to France as seen through the eyes of a British writer, I am usually left with a curiosity for the area written about...on this occasion I was just glad I managed to finish the book, but I did so want to enjoy it.
This is just 'another book on France' but with nothing out of the ordinary to justify its publishing...or price.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I really struggled with this book , i found it very slow , and quite boring . I gave up half way through as it just didnt hold my interest . This is obviously just my opinion , it just wasnt for me at all.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Thinner than local plonk
I picked up this book with some enthusiasm, having enjoyed a number of bottles of wine from the region and wished to know more about the place. Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2004
VINTAGE STUFF
I have have just finished reading VIRGILE'S VINEYARD and I think Patrick Moon has given us a five star book. Read more
Published on 5 Aug 2003
A view of a Languedoc winemaker
Patrick Moon has written a competent and interesting account of his experience of learning about making quality wine in St Saturnin in the Herault. Read more
Published on 1 July 2003 by D. A. Preston
Delightful, informative, witty and brilliantly written.
I thoroughly recommend Patrick Moon's brilliantly written story of an extraordinary year spent in his inherited neglected house in the Languedoc region of France. Read more
Published on 21 Jun 2003 by Dianne MacLintock
Virgile's Vineyard
If I were taking only one book on holiday to France this year it would be this one - amusing, informative and enjoyable - altogether a great read.
Published on 15 April 2003
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