Sad Pain

I chose this title reading Robert Camuto’s book: “An American in the vineyards” (I am only half way), published in France by Michel Lafon. The author was signing his book at François and Isabelle Ligneris bookstore where Murielle bought me a signed copy.
This book makes no apology for pain or sadness, but it is what I felt half way through the book. It’s a good book. The writer, Mr. Robert Camuto has been living in France for a long time (still, he used a translator: Joseph Antoine?)
Pain, for it seems to me that the portraits correspond to a trend of thought in the 1980-1990, where the obvious liking for the real characters and empathy felt by Robert Camuto corresponds to a parallel projection (I understand better the expression “the other side of the picture”). Sad, because missing the France from before the great war, sad for this former time, bygone, of people a bit old – 50 years old? more? – where either making love makes them depressed or the weather is responsible for their sadness?

I made a parallel between Jacques Dupont’s book (which I also liked) and even Jacques Perrin (even if I didn’t understand it at all!) who wrote this thought on the Grand Jury Européen’s blog:
“What are you suffering from my friend?
I suffer from seeing the object of my passion deteriorate year after year, he answered”
Nice thought…

Like making sense of seeing the glass half empty, as if giving up on the human race, wine or love stories?!
We certainly miss Pierre Desprosges, but beware: not deluding ourselves, I believe would certainly makes us grow old.

Presentation found on the internet: An American in the vineyards
When Robert Camuto moved to France, he saw his taste change into an informed passion, Burgundy, Corsica, Alsace, Languedoc, Pyrenees, South West, Provence, Anjou, St-Emilion: this American investigates, takes notes, photographs and sketches humoristic portraits, real and amazing, of a new generation of winemakers who reject the standardization of flavors, gives pride to biodynamic production and highlights a renewed love for varietals long neglected. During his wanderings in our terroirs, Robert Camuto gives a tasty account of France and the French population: a beautiful tribute to our love of good living. “Far from large properties, this American journalist spends his time in the small vineyards worth visiting. Epicurean vagabond, trying each time to blend more into the scenery of the deep countryside, Robert Camuto loves to taste what is no longer produced”. Le Figaro

In any case, he doesn’t do too much anti Parker like Mondovino, even if it tickles the author, even though Parker's taste is clearly not his "cup of tea".