Love for wine: one family, one passion, three generations | SEPUL RENE

In this book, René Sépul accompanies the Pirards, father and son, on the roads of France, Germany, retracing paths taken a thousand times by their father and grandfather. The author shares the daily life of winemakers, eats at their table, discovers their cellar, tastes their wines, learns to detect the aromas and flavors. An education in the taste of wine.

In 1945, Jacques Pirard was not yet 18 when he founded his wine import company in Belgium. Always on the roads, always in the vineyards and cellars, he learns his trade by interacting with winemakers and restaurateurs.

After Bordeaux, he travels through Alsace, Burgundy, then along the Rhône and Loire rivers, looking for previously unknown winemakers. He then explores the Southwest, Provence, Languedoc, Moselle, and the Rhine.

Throughout his travels, the most prestigious châteaux and the most secretive houses become part of his collection. After World War II, he was one of the first, if not the first in Belgium, to champion the work of the greatest German winemakers. He was also one of the first to take an interest in the renewal of the Italian vineyard. Jacques Pirard shared this passion with his son, Emmanuel, and then with his grandson, Simon.

The book recounts their journeys in the world of wine, but above all, it recalls how the merchant built one of the best portfolios around.

It includes numerous discussions with winemakers about their daily lives, the vintage, and the development of the domain.

Since the table could not be absent from our approach, the winemakers shared with us a secret from their kitchen, a recipe suited to a bottle that they would share along with their advice. Several top Belgian chefs working with Maison Pirard also joined in the effort by creating a dish linked to that magical moment of conviviality that is wine tasting.