Zadig No. 20: Wine is undergoing a revolution

DISCOVER IN THIS ISSUE

Journalist Alicia Dorey retraces the tumultuous history of wine and the relationship that the French have had with it over the centuries. A totemic drink, associated with all the major events that mark our national story, wine represents a true treasure and reflects our most powerful mythologies. Today, it is being called upon to adapt to climate change and the new demands of consumers, who are increasingly seeking a more natural wine.

The world of wine is changing and gradually becoming more feminine. Carole Bouquet produces her own wine in Sicily, which she has elevated to the highest level. She recounts how she achieved this and the necessary role of ambassador she must play.

"Wine demands a wild curiosity," explains journalist and gastronomic critic François-Régis Gaudry, providing the keys to understanding the different grape varieties.

Writer Colombe Schneck looks back on the journey of two women deeply involved in wine production. One is a pioneer in Provence, while the other brings a breath of fresh air to a family institution in Bordeaux.

"I met the vineyard and now know the true cost of a bottle, what it has cost in dedication to the winemaker and labor to the harvester," testifies Philibert Humm, who went to do the harvest for Zadig in Anjou.

In her investigation conducted in Bordeaux, Emma Flacard, a journalist from the editorial team, reflects on the passionate and sometimes complicated relationship of the Chinese, whether investors or enthusiasts, with Bordeaux wine.

MEETING WITH PIERRE RICHARD

Long criticized by critics but adored by the public, actor Pierre Richard ventured into cinema, inspired by Tati, Chaplin, Keaton, Jerry Lewis, and especially Danny Kaye. At 89, he is still active in cinema and finally receiving the recognition he deserves. For Zadig, he looks back on his career and brings to life the great figures who have influenced him – like Michel Bouquet or Yves Robert. He expresses regret for not playing dramatic roles earlier, talks about his passion for wine and his winemaking adventure in Aude – an adventure that almost happened by chance and made him, by necessity, a man of the land concerned about the planet. He also shares his favorite spots in France or Paris. The landscapes that have impacted him the most are never far from a pond or river, the only connection to an almost always absent father.

INVESTIGATION: "THE ROOTS OF THE VENDÉEN MIRACLE"

A region where hundreds of SMEs thrive, descendants of farmers working in the industry without having to leave the country... The employment basin of Les Herbiers, with the lowest unemployment rate in France, owes its success to Catholic business owners who emerged united from private schools. It also intertwines with the shared memory of the massacres that stained the region during the Revolution, as journalist Ève Charrin recounts.

EXCLUSIVE SHORT STORY BY ADELINE DIEUDONNÉ: "THE CULT OF THE CAR"

"It all started with a discussion about the car. Of course. In this family, everything revolves around the car." And when it was a question of entrusting the keys of a sports car to one of the female representatives... everything went awry.

PHILIPPE BESSON'S INTIMATE JOURNEYS: "MY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL"

In this text, the writer narrates how he grew up in Charente, a student in his father's primary school in a town that is now wiped off the map. This pilgrimage is an opportunity to evoke his classmates and reconnect with these beloved places, where he decided he would one day rest...

AND ALSO:

Guest columns by Karine Tuil and Philippe Claudel on current events, and the legal columns of Philippe Jaenada.