A Year in Champagne

Directed by David Kennard, A Year in Champagne is a 2014 documentary film boasting the participation of prestigious champagne producers, which offers an exclusive and captivating insight into the world's most beloved drink. Starring Xavier Gonet and Martine Saunier, the movie educates, amazes, and tantalizes the taste buds, pulling back the curtain on the remarkable journey from grape to glass in the region synonymous with this finest of all wines - Champagne, France.

Imperative for wine lovers, the film provides the opportunity to learn about the complex and demanding production of the world's most coveted effervescent libation. Paying homage to the passion, artistry, and sweeping history of champagne, the documentary focuses on six of the region's most prestigious producers: The Houses of Gosset and Bollinger, the families of Gonet and Corbon, and the cooperative La Veuve A. Devaux.

Xavier Gonet, a sixth-generation Champagne producer, plays a central role in the film. With his wife, Julie, he runs the House of Gonet in the charming village of Mesnil-sur-Oger. As the audiences' guide, Gonet vividly illustrates the annual production cycle that turns the notoriously difficult-to-grow grapes into the legendary sparkling beverage – champagne.

Renowned author and wine specialist Martine Saunier is the inimitable narrator of the film, and she lends it an air of charm and sophistication that permeates every frame. Her passion and knowledge about the subject matter are infectious and only heightens the viewing experience of the documentary.

The movie opens with the bleak and chilly winters of Champagne, where viewers witness the vines lying dormant in the cold. It's the calm before the storm. As warmer weather ushers in spring, the pace quickens with the tension-filled period of flowering, when an unexpected frost or rain could devastate the year's harvest.

The narrative of the film then turns to the frenetic, exhausting harvest in the summer, the result of an entire year's laborious work. Here the viewers see the magic begin as workers delicately handpick millions of grapes. The meticulous, demanding process of ‘la méthode champenoise’ is revealed, underscoring the unique nature of Champagne production, which significantly differentiates this product from less prestigious sparkling wines.

Finally, A Year in Champagne shows us the process of ‘assemblage,’ where the winemakers take center stage. Blending knowledge, expertise, and palate precision, they taste, test, and blend in countless permutations to create the liquid gold that enthusiasts cherish.

In A Year in Champagne, the viewer is invited not only to learn about the production process but also to appreciate the profound love and veneration for this beverage. The film humanizes the producers and the land, demonstrating the deep ties between the people who make champagne and the wine itself.

While the technical details provide a fascinating look at the production process, the film shines brightest when it explores the region's resilience even when facing significant challenges. It shows how local producers have withstood the devastation of two World Wars and continue to tackle modern problems such as climate change and economic pressures with an indefatigable spirit and resilience. It's this history and strength of character that help imbue the beverage with its aura.

The film also features stunning cinematography, from the rugged, wind-swept vines in the dead of winter to close-ups of the twinkling bottle-green flutes in tasting sessions. The sweeping views of the cavernous cellars, the ancient vineyards, and the picturesque landscapes are nothing short of breathtaking. A Year in Champagne serves not only as an informative look into the champagne-making tradition but also as a visual feast, a poetic love letter to the Champagne region.

Beyond the landscapes and the technicalities, the heart of the film is the people who produce champagne. From the smallest vigneron to the most prestigious maisons, viewers witness the dedication, the reverence, and the hard work that these men and women put into each bottle. The film makes clear that the magic of Champagne is as much in the people who craft it as it is in the drink itself.

In all, A Year in Champagne offers a wonderful, comprehensive experience to all viewers. Whether a wine enthusiast or someone who enjoys a good documentary, the film provides a seemingly effortless education about champagne production. Rich in history, filled with passion, narrated with depth, and shot with stunning visuals, this film is a must-see for all who admire the joy that is Champagne.