David KennardA Year in Burgundy

Enjoyed the closer view on the who and how of wine making in French burgundy region.

What a treat to go into the cellars and vineyards of several vintners in Burgundy regions of France and see how the culture and terrior determine the lifestyles. Martine is a sweet elderly host for this journey but grapes and those who tend them are the real stars of the show. Another great treat that most of us will never experience is the annual wine dinner/festival at Clos Vougeot where 500 locals and guests celebrate the wonders of wines from the Burgundy region. This can be a wonderful way to learn about wines and vines as well but you must be observant about the subtleties of information that the locals take for granted and those who are not familiar often miss. For example, the emphasis on the two primary grapes of burgundy, chardonnay and pinot noir get lost for many people in all the French names and unique labels. All burgundy serious wines that are red are pinot noirs. There is another haunting feature of this film that involves the musical scores. One of the young winemaker heirs, Thibaut, loves to play the piano and it seems like they have used his hobby as the simplistic background music for painting the simple French countryside and it is more authentic than the producers expected. This is a wonderful movie if you are looking for relief from all the "R" rated junk that fills the theaters. A Year In Burgundy still makes me want to return some September in my work clothes and see if I could get hired to pick the grapes. I may not be the fastest worker but I would be meticulous and for sure I would never be late to lunch or dinner!

I know a lot of folks are complaining about the lack of subtitles, but it is the playing device that people are using that is not properly displaying the subtitles - they work fine while playing this on my PS3.Basically this short documentary takes the viewer through a year in Burgundy with a few winemakers. It isn't as controversial as Mondovino - nobody is subtly mocking Rolland or Suckling or Micheal Mondavi in this one. Instead we see what some of the small Burgundy producers must put up with throughout a year in the region. From tense nerves when rain approaches or frayed nerves when the police show up to inspect everyone's work permits - all the fun and headache of a year in Burgundy are represented.Again, this is a documentary that cannot possibly show everything that happens in a year in Burgundy, but it gives one an insight to the life and times of some of the growers as seen through the viewpoint of a small importer/exporter.Highly recommended for my fellow oenophiles!

What a teasure!!! This is fantastique. I met Martine a few years ago at the International Pinot Noir Celebration. She's such a grand and classy lady. This documentary is so fun and informative. I was smiling the entire time watching it. And then I came out of m chair when the film shifted to Blackberry Farm in Tennessee ( I now live in Nashville). That was such a cool segway. I will watch this many times. I can't believe it has taken me this long to find it. Go Martine!

I loved this DVD enough that I checked it out of the library twice, and had to have it. Following the seasons was a good way to tell the story of a the wine grape that I love best, in its most perfect home. If I were to wish for perfection in a Burgundy documentary, I would like to see more thorough coverage of more wine makers, since the "infinite variery" of Burgundy wines is something that attracts me to them. This video is not that. Rather, it is a personal tour with wine importer Martine Saunier, who knows Burgundy well and generously introduces us to the winemakers whom she knows and loves best. Magnifique!

I love this movie and have watched it many times. Very inspiring to see how some of the best wines are made and that many different styles can still result in compelling wines. As well, profiling some of the very interesting characters in Burgundy is insightful - what I wouldn't give to spend a day or two with Lalou as her passion for her vines seems unparalleled. Well worth a view and maybe many depending on how much you care for how wine is made, from vineyard to bottle to glass!

Great documentary. Too bad they fall into the ignorant Burgundy-snob trap of acting like some of the finest wines in the region aren't Cru Beaojolais...

It may be fine when it comes to wine making, but Thibaut should stop playing the piano. He is pretty awful.

I would love to spend a year in Burgundy. It is a beautiful region of France, I get to visit in the summer holidays when it is indeed gorgeous, but this DVD is about the wine, something that sadly we can't all afford! An interesting watch.

A living testimonial to the passion of wine and ... for life!

For burgundy lover

Best film on Burgundy and the Terroir !!

Promenade rapide au fil des 4 saisons de la taille d'hiver à la récolte et au début de la vinification, tout y est.De belles images.Les interviews sont français, les commentaires en anglais, sans accent le rendant inintelligible.On ne s'ennuie pas.