252. Wine Calling; movie review

WINE CALLING
Cert TBA
91 mins
BBFC advice: TBA

Can it be true? Is there a significant shift back to the techniques of making wine which had survived for hundreds if not thousands of years.
Does taste matter? Is sustainability finally being acknowledged? Are more and more people understanding our relationship with the land?
The producers of natural wine in southern France are advocates of all of the above and support each other in their goals.
However, they have to accept they are out of step with the commercial world where money and power are kings.
Documentary-maker Bruno Sauvard followed these enthusiasts for a year, from harvesting grapes to bottling.
They give a repeated message of creating a wine which is free from chemicals and regulations, leading to more full-bodied taste.
Together they claim they are creating sustainable products which are at one with the beautiful landscapes of southern France.
However, the joy and pride in wine-making are tempered by finances which are often stretched and they are still less than three per cent of the 3,000 wine-makers in France.
Wine Calling interviews several of the enthusiasts and shows how they have had different levels of success in their enterprises.
It also assesses new collectives who share machinery and even dig in on helping each other when urgent manual labour is required.
They are committed to wine because of the love of the land and the desire for quality of life - even though it struck me as very hard work for little financial reward.
They would say that I have missed the point. They don't need great wealth as long as they have friendships and the sunshine of the south of France.
I just fear that Wine Calling was a tad too idealistic and, while it does acknowledge the difficulties in pursuing utopia, it doesn't drill into them.

Reasons to watch: If you are interested in natural wine 
Reasons to avoid: It is aimed at a niche audience

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 6.5/10

Did you know? The origins of French wine-making tradition date back to the sixth century before Christ, when southern France was settled by Greek colonists. Wine-making had already been made popular by the Egyptians and had been refined by the Romans.

The final word. Bruno Sauvard: "My film is about rebellious winemakers, its form had to be in tune with them, and this way of doing fits me perfectly! I always say that I’m the first spectator of my films and I just don’t want to get bored!" Red Carpet Crash

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