Grand Cru

Grand Cru, a luminary documentary produced in 2017, is a must-watch for every wine enthusiast or anyone interested in knowing the world behind the glass.

This captivating film revolves around the life of Pascal Marchand, a seminal figure in the Burgundy wine universe and former winemaker at Domaine de la Vougeraie. Born and bred in Quebec, Marchand traveled and fell in love with Burgundy in France in his early twenties. His journey from being a literature student to becoming an unexpected prophet of biodynamics in the wine-making industry forms the crux of the narrative.

The film, directed by David Eng, and produced by Katarina Soukup, smoothens the soil of Marchand's life and the winemaking world. It uncovers his exploits in the fine art of fermenting grape juice and his metamorphosis into an iconic Burgundy vineyard whisperer. Marchand's journey is portrayed as a perfect ferment of talent, perseverance, and serendipity, coupled with a deep love for the land and tradition.

Possessed with an insurmountable spirit, Marchand tackles diverse problems such as rigid tradition, market pressures, and climatic challenges. The film cleverly intertwines individual perseverance, wine making, and climate change into a single narrative. It succinctly illustrates Marchand's personal journey against the backdrop of the earth’s climate issues, that directly impacts the rhythm of viticulture.

Grand Cru's storytelling visits key elements of Marchand's work, documenting an entire vintage from pruning to bottling. It narrates the tale of two harvests, one that went extraordinarily well, the other that’s a complete disaster. However, no spoilers here, but rest assured Marchand's navigating through the unpredictable tides of weather and wine, holds the audience till the last drop.

The storytelling is visually soothing, thanks to the master strokes of Derek Branscombe's cinematography. The beautiful images of thriving vineyards, deep-cellared cathedrals of wine, close-ups of the flora and fauna embedded between the vines, and the mesmerizing landscapes of Burgundy, play out like poetry on screen. They all lend an earthy, intriguing, and romantic air to Marchand's journey.

The cinematography successfully paints a sensory-rich canvas attempting to bridge the gap between the viewer and the world of wine. Such interesting juxtapositions and visual storytelling techniques surely appeal to wine lovers and the uninitiated alike.

Director David Eng does an impressive job balancing the global message with the individual journey, revealing the broader impacts of climate change on the traditional winemaking process. He uses the story arc of Pascal Marchand as an allegory of man's harmony with nature and the terrible cost when that balance is upset.

Though the film revolves around wine, it implicitly delves into various dimensions of human emotion, environmental issues, and the artistry of winemaking, painting a holistic picture of the volatile business of wine, industry perils, climate threats, and above all, the human spirit that sails through all these storms.

Moreover, the film's precision handling of the wine-making process, right from planting the vines to the final sip in a glass, imparts a profound respect for this centuries-old craft. It embodies the passion, toil, knowledge, and uncertainty that goes into every bottle.

Throughout the film, it's evident that Pascal Marchand is a man of the soil. His infectious passion, eccentricity, and drive to preserve the traditional methods of cultivation while keeping in sync with the dynamic climatic changes, are indeed motivating. His intimate relationship with the terroir, the ecosystem, and the many microscopic organisms that aid in fermentation adds a beautiful and unique layer to this narration.

Grand Cru is much more than a film about wine. It offers an insightful trajectory into Pascal Marchand's life as an iconoclast in the winemaking industry, bringing to life his indomitable spirit and ceaseless dedication.

This film aims to enlighten, educate, and entertain in equal proportions, delivering an intriguing journey through the viticulture landscape of Burgundy, seen through the eyes of Pascal Marchand. His tale of survival against mother nature’s whims forms an enigmatic blend of drama, suspense, information, and aesthetic pleasure – much like a grand cru wine.

Grand Cru is a passionate and spirited document, that's every bit as exquisite, complex, and altogether delightful as the Burgundy wine at its center.