Among the gloomy french wine landscape where overproduction , stiffer competition and wine-hostile state funded anti-alcohol campaigns are threatening the sector, there are bright lights : Our little ones are educated and prepared to appreciate in the future the festive drink of Champagne . Champomy is specially designed for them , so that for special occasions they too have their "Champagne" . The bottle looks exactly like a Champagne bottle , plenty of bubbles too with the same popping noise of the cork. Of course , no alcohol , and also no sugar added , no preservatives or colouring agent . Just pure apple juice . Three versions : "Standard" ( apple juice) , "Funny Rosy" ( grape/Raspberry ), " Happy Pech' " ( apple/peach ) . The thing had its debut in 1989 and is growing ...
Alix de Montille is the heroine of Mondovino , the documentary movie shot by Jonathan Nossiter and that paints the conflicts and challenges in the wine world today , the sort of civilization clash between authenticity and mass marketing plus product homogenization . The movie can be seen like another french american discord , sometimes close to caricature, but Nossiter is american . This is an exciting movie for wine passionates , shot in many places in the world . Nossiter's use of side images , things said before interviews or not intended really for every one to hear was made possible by a small size camera, I guess . The cameraman caught many things that ordinary interviews usually ignore . The dogs , for examples ; They all have a dog with a different style and personality , and these silent companions are very present in the movie . Use of light and camera angle play a role too . I suspect the cold green-blue of neon lights in the Mondavi sequence was purposely left uncorrected , along with a slightly low position of the camera . This is maybe what I think nears caricature and it plays into the favorite french "ugly american capitalist" cliché , if I judge from the french reactions ( when they laughed ) when I saw it . We here seem to forget that we had in the 70's and still have our share of industrial wines ( at least , Mondavi's are pleasant_that's what I heard , I never had some ) . The part of the movie with Alix de Montille and her father and family is heartening . This woman is a true passionate , the type of person that makes you look even more for quality and authentic wines . It reminds us that behind wines there are individuals , and some of them are exceptionnal .
I just saw Mondovino and I loved it but I agree with you about the slant against the Mondavis...and America. Also the documentary never shed light upon (beyond micro oxygenation) exactly what the winemakers are doing that makes the wine homogenized. That would have made it move beyond a 2 hour indictment of evil US McWinemakers. We would have learned the nitty gritty about what is really at stake. I just hope that people like Alix Montille continue to hold fast to their legacy and their stance on creating unique wines.
Posted by: C DeMartini | April 22, 2005 at 09:42 PM
Is it possible to obtain Champomy in the UK? My 12 year old daughter likes it, and her cousin's wedding is coming up very soon. It would be nice to obtain some for the occasion.
Thank you.
Posted by: William Thomson | August 12, 2006 at 11:49 PM
WHAT SORT OF COURSE DOES ONE LOOK FOR TO TRAIN AS WINE/TEA TASTER ETC.? ALSO WONDERING IF THERE ANY SUCH COURSE IN POLAND?
Posted by: Sarah Mumford | June 16, 2007 at 04:01 PM