01x07 - Food and Wine

[bunniefuu]

[ISSEI, IN JAPANESE] Let's see

what's so special about this wine.

[SNIFFS]

[SNIFFS]

A blend of Schiava and Pinot Noir.

Its freshness comes from a limestone

soil which is as cold as marble.

But

But?

I can't taste any

peach, quince or jasmine.

I have no idea what

this "link" is about.

I would have been incapable.

I really don't know how Camille did it.

In truth, I feel a bit overwhelmed.

She scares you?

Yes.

She seems to be able to sense

things that I don't understand.

It's in her nature.

Well, I think you need to

be free and relax a bit.

I see.

Yes.

An orchard during springtime.

The sun and many flowers.

Ah.

Peach, quince and jasmine.

I lift up a stone,

and I find the link.

The unbreakable bond of love.

Filial love,

romantic love.

Every kind of love is here.

Yes.

Of course, it's obvious.

Casa dei Fossati.

You see, it's not complicated.

Make an effort.

You're weird.

[BOTH LAUGH]

[ISSEI] Mmm.

- [CAMILLE] Hey.

We just finished our shift

and thought we might, uh

Luca told us you're no longer

welcome at his place, so here we are.

Come on in.

- In the back.

- Okay.

I heard everything.

He's a piece of sh*t.

He'd k*ll me if he knew that

I'm telling you this, but, um

whatever.

[INHALES] I know this from my dad.

[EXHALES] Luca, over

the last few years

He's been buying vineyards

all over the world for nothing.

Then, when the properties

appear in the guide, well,

their value just goes up and up,

and my uncle makes tons of money.

Wait, the properties

appear in the guide?

Yep. My uncle has a

45% stake in the guide.

He bought it from Fusier.

Nobody knows that.

So he can actually decide which

wines appear in the guide or not.

[LORENZO] Yes.

That's f*cking illegal.

And he knows that the Léger

Guide without a Léger

Well, not as sexy.

That's why he pulled out the

red carpet for you, Camille.

To keep bringing in the money.

Elisabetta was right.

The guide is poison. It

does no good to anyone.

You were right to say no.

Why didn't you tell me this before?

It's my uncle.

He's the only one who helped

me when my father kicked me out.

What about my father?

Did he know?

No idea.

I swear.

I never heard him talk

about money with Luca.

Okay.

Well [SIGHS]

thank you for coming anyway.

Let's drink to your victory, eh?

Yeah.

- [GRUNTS]

- Ah, that's a pop.

- It's champagne. Whatever.

- [LORENZO LAUGHS]

[CELL PHONE BEEPS]

- Thanks.

- [MIYABI] Mm-hmm.

[INHALES DEEPLY, SIGHS]

I have to leave tomorrow

for my last test.

Cheers, I guess?

Yeah.

- [SPEAKING JAPANESE]

- [BOTH SPEAKING JAPANESE]

[PERSON CHATTERING IN DISTANCE]

[WORKER] Philippe?

[IN FRENCH] Yes?

There is someone here for you.

- [PHILIPPE] What does he want?

- I don't know.

He wants to speak to you in private.

So what's the matter?

Are you Philippe Chassangre?

[PHILIPPE] Yes.

I have a letter for you.

It is from Mr. Léger.

[SIGHS]

[PHILIPPE SIGHS, EXHALES DEEPLY]

Do you accept this?

Yes.

[SIGHS]

Even dead, he's still a pain in the ass.

Damn it!

[IN JAPANESE] Mom?

What are you doing here?

If you'd answer my calls,

I wouldn't have had to come here.

What do you want?

Hello, young lady.

You're prettier in person than on TV.

You look less vulgar.

[ISSEI SIGHS]

[ISSEI SIGHS]

I'll leave you with

your charming mother.

I'll wait for you next door.

I heard that you lost

the second test today.

- [SIGHS]

- [CELL PHONE BEEPS]

There's still time

to do the right thing.

But it's your last chance.

Apologize to your grandfather.

Apologize?

Why?

So that our family

can get back in order.

Did you love your husband?

I don't have to answer that question.

You had an affair with your

professor, Alexandre Léger,

when you were a student,

and you got pregnant.

Whether he left you or

you left him, I don't know.

Anyway, you took

advantage of your friend,

Hirokazu, who loved

you, just to save face.

I don't know if you ever

even loved him at all.

Or me.

That's enough.

I came here to help you,

but it seems like it's

none of my business.

This apartment belongs to me.

I want you to leave.

Did you hear me?

Get out!

[ISSEI SIGHS]

I feel sorry for you.

When I look at you, it's painful.

One last thing.

He's alive.

But I suppose you're not interested.

Would you like to come with me?

[YURIKA GROANS] No, I

can't. I have to work.

You should go without me.

I'm so sorry I put you through all this.

Did it make you feel

better to let it all out?

[DOOR CLOSES]

Wine is never to be drunk alone.

Do you know why?

When you share it, it creates a link.

A bond.

This place, this wine, the two of us

It brings us together

for the rest of our lives.

In 20, 30, 50 years

this moment will remain

in our memories forever.

So, to this moment.

To this wine.

To us.

To us.

[ALEXANDRE CHUCKLES]

[WINE POURING]

[SNIFFS]

[SNIFFS]

I'M HERE

I'M LEAVING TOKYO FOR PARIS

[IN JAPANESE] Would you

like a glass of champagne?

No, thank you.

- [CELL PHONE BEEPS]

- GOOD LUCK

[HOST] Thank you for flying with us.

[HOST] Sir, would you

like a glass of champagne?

[ISSEI] Thank you.

[GASPS, GRUNTS]

[GASPS]

I was arrogant. I

I need to sleep. I have

a test to win tomorrow.

[SIGHS]

Wow.

- [IN FRENCH] Hello. This way, please.

- Hello.

Hello.

[RECEPTIONIST] Thank you.

Where is he taking my bags?

You'll find them in your bedroom.

Here are your keys. Have a great stay.

- Thank you.

- You're welcome.

[BEEPS]

[ANNOUNCER ON SPEAKER] Seventh floor.

[SIGHS]

[SIGHS]

[FAUCET RUNNING]

[LINE RINGING]

[LINE RINGING]

[CELL PHONE RINGING, BEEPING]

ISSEI

[RINGING CONTINUES]

[OPERATOR SPEAKING JAPANESE]

- Hello.

- Hey.

- May I ask you something?

- Sure.

Have you seen this man?

[OWNER] Ah.

He only stayed here for a few days.

[YURIKA] And then?

[FANS CLAMORING, CHEERING]

Miss Léger, Mr. Tomine,

please follow me.

I must warn you that what

comes next is a bit special.

I want to clarify that I was not

in charge of organizing the event.

My role is to verify that

procedures are correctly followed.

I would've opted for

a little more sobriety.

[IN FRENCH] Excuse me.

- Thank you.

[REPORTERS CLAMORING]

Hello. Let me introduce myself.

I'm Benjamin Keller.

I'm a journalist, and I've been

asked to present today's test.

Really exciting, isn't it?

Right. Which is Issei? Which is Camille?

[CHUCKLES] No, I'm joking. Relax.

Everything will be

fine. [INHALES DEEPLY]

Follow me. I'll take you to your seats.

- I have a question.

- Yeah?

Yeah, me too.

What's all this sh*t?

I know. It's great, isn't it?

You're here.

You're here.

Hello, everyone,

and welcome.

We're about to take part

in an exceptional event.

This decisive test is between

Issei Tomine and Camille Léger.

The stakes:

Alexandre Léger's inheritance,

or more specifically,

his collection of 87,000

exceptional bottles of wine,

the biggest and most prestigious

wine cellar in the world.

Alexandre Léger devised three

rounds for this ultimate test.

Two will take place here

in this wonderful setting.

The third will take place in a more

confidential setting.

But first of all,

I would like to thank the

Fusier Publishing House

who organized this prestigious event.

Ladies and gentlemen,

please welcome Mr. Luca Inglese,

Alexandre Léger's loyal friend

and co-director of the Léger Guide.

Hello, everyone.

I had the privilege of being by

Alexandre's side until the end.

He was obsessed by one question.

Who would take up the

torch after he's gone?

Who would be capable of ensuring

that his creation would live on?

Death didn't give him time

to answer this question.

This is why [CLEARS THROAT]

Jacques Fusier and I came up with

an idea which, uh [CHUCKLES]

I believe would have pleased him.

The one who wins this test

will be the chosen one,

and in our eyes, Alexandre's

legitimate successor.

We will therefore offer the

winner of this ultimate test

the chance to lead the Léger Guide.

He or she will become editor-in-chief.

He or she will have complete authority.

We will blindly trust in their

instinct, talent and choices.

Because let's not forget:

the Léger Guide is not just a name.

Above all else,

it is an ethos.

Thank you.

[BENJAMIN] Beside Luca Inglese,

our distinguished jury

will consist of Flor Peres,

the three-starred restaurant chef

Good luck.

and Anthony Norton, voted best

sommelier in the world in 2019.

[APPLAUSE]

And now, for the first round,

we have a series of wine

general knowledge questions.

Ready?

Which of these grape varieties

is not authorized in Champagne?

Arbanne, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, César.

César.

[BENJAMIN] César is the right answer.

Again, in Champagne,

how many villages are

classified premier cru?

Forty-two.

[BENJAMIN] Right answer.

There are 42 premier crus in

Champagne, as well as 17 grand crus.

Which bottle was the top-ranking bottle

in the first Léger Guide in 1993?

Meursault Premier Cru Les

Perrières, Domaine Leroy, 1973.

[BENJAMIN] Correct answer.

[CHEERS]

[BENJAMIN] Which bottle chosen by

Alexandre is systematically served

at the Élysée at diplomatic

dinners with the German chancellors?

An Alsace Gewurztraminer

Fronholz late harvest wine,

Domaine Ostertag, 1997.

No.

[AUDIENCE MURMURING]

An Egon Müller

Scharzhofberger

Trockenbeerenauslese, 1991.

[BENJAMIN] Correct.

Where is the Walla Walla Valley located?

- United States.

- [BENJAMIN] Correct.

Which is the dominant grape

variety in the Barolo appellation?

- [ISSEI] Nebbiolo.

- [BENJAMIN] Correct.

[GROANS]

Along which river and which riverbank

does the Canon-Fronsac AOP lie?

[ISSEI] Dordogne.

Right Bank.

[BENJAMIN] Correct answer.

Which grape represents

about 95% of famous wine?

[ISSEI] Cabernet.

[BENJAMIN] Correct answer.

Follow me, please. Your

lunch is waiting for you.

[IN FRENCH] What now?

[CAMILLE SIGHS]

[SIGHS]

You were brilliant. Of course.

Thank you.

But that's all theory. Academic.

I can't wait for the next round.

Seriously?

[LAUGHS] We are so different.

Sorry about this little

staging. [INHALES SHARPLY]

I would like to welcome you to

the next part of the contest.

This is a food and wine matching test.

You now have to find the wines

that pair up with each meal.

The restaurant cellar

will be open to you.

I imagined a meal for you.

Inspired by my numerous

encounters with Alexandre Léger.

This menu reflects his taste.

First dish.

Scallop carpaccio, pig's

trotters, and Pantelleria capers

with a citrus sauce vierge.

Enjoy.

For the first course,

I thought about the way

the food was prepared.

Raw scallops taste of iodine,

and the pork fat highlights the subtlety

between the sea breeze

and an earthy wind.

I see a vineyard coming

from ancient Greece.

The beautiful island of Santorini.

I chose an Assyrtiko, 2015.

I'm a 29-year-old writer who

still lives with her mother.

Her cooking is

simple.

- [AUDIENCE CHUCKLES]

- [CAMILLE] Thanks, Mom.

So a cuisine that

blends land and sea seems weird

to me, almost contradictory.

But then I tasted this wonderful dish.

This dish creates a paradoxical harmony.

Delicate, yet strong.

It made me think of the

thousand-year-old Georgian vineyards.

The orange wine produced

there is a paradox in itself.

So my first pairing is

a Ramaz Nikoladze, 1998,

from Titska and

Tsolikouri grape varieties.

[APPLAUSE]

Camille?

- Are you okay?

- Mm-hmm.

Yeah. Oh, it's great.

Just intense. [INHALES SHARPLY]

I'm not used to this kind of food.

[ISSEI] Lobster represents excellence.

A delicately cooked crustacean

requires a preeminent white wine

to enhance its elegant flesh.

The hundred-year-old vineyard from

the region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape,

Château de Beaucastel,

produces such a wine:

Roussanne Vieilles Vignes, 2005.

For me

this is the perfect match.

[APPLAUSE]

The few memories I have of my father

are related to food and wine.

I do remember

that when he prepared

lobster, he would say,

"Lobster is blue, but once cooked,

it becomes red like red wine."

And then I asked myself, which

red wine will amplify the flavors

of both the lobster and

the porcini mushroom tart?

It led me to think of

the Mataro grape variety

found in the sandy

terroirs of California.

The San Benito County

Sandlands Mataro, 2015.

The gentle black currant

touch of this wine transmutes

and becomes a dried

porcini mushroom flavor

once the wine is decanted.

Such a wine speaks to us

of both spring and fall,

the passing of seasons,

the passing of time.

[APPLAUSE]

[CLEARS THROAT]

Very nice choice of wine, Mr. Tomine.

As for you, the wine in

itself is, uh, remarkable,

but, uh,

your combination of

flavors is not clear.

Your story about the red color,

passing time [CHUCKLES]

that means nothing to me.

I am a bit disappointed.

[FLOR] A pavlova.

For this dessert,

I'll propose a rosé champagne.

I've chosen a Fleur de Miraval.

This is a blend of

Chardonnays of various ages.

Fresh and fruity wines stemming

from the Montagne de Reims,

- mixed with an infinite, virtuous circle

- [WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY]

and also reserve wines

aged, uh, 15 years and over.

- The palate is tonic, sharp and salty

- [WHISPERING CONTINUES]

[REPORTERS CLAMORING]

Your turn, Issei.

[CLAMORING CONTINUES]

You're going to lose.

I know why you wanted me

to take over the guide.

And you know what?

f*ck you.

[LUCA LAUGHS]

[TOILET FLUSHES]

[SIGHS, GASPS]

[EXHALES DEEPLY, SPEAKS

IN FRENCH] Obviously.

[SNIFFLES, BREATHING HEAVILY]

[GURGLING, SPITTING, INHALES SHARPLY]

What do you want? [SNIFFLES]

I was wrong to cut off communication

between you and your dad.

It was a stupid mistake.

I was afraid of losing you,

- but in the end

- [EXHALES DEEPLY]

[INHALES DEEPLY]

Please forgive me.

I'm going to need some time.

Of course.

[SNIFFS, EXHALES SHARPLY]

Except that it seems I

don't have much time left,

according to the doctors.

What?

Mom?

- I'm kidding! [LAUGHING]

- [CAMILLE SIGHS]

I just wanted to see

if you still loved me.

That's not funny at all.

[SIGHS]

[LAUGHS]

Camille,

I'm so proud of what you're doing.

No matter what, I will be there.

Whatever you wish for, be it

near or far, I'll be there.

You're my daughter. Hmm?

- [KISSES] Mmm. [CHUCKLES]

- [SIGHS, GROANS]

[GROANS]

[GROANS]

[KNOCKING]

[CAMILLE] No!

[KNOCKING CONTINUES]

I said no!

[KNOCKING CONTINUES]

I can't believe this.

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

What?

Meeting in front of the

hotel in 15 minutes, miss.

A minibus is waiting for you.

The third round is about to begin.

What?

[MUTTERS]

[CHUCKLES]

I didn't expect to see you so soon!

[PHILIPPE] Neither did I.

[INHALES DEEPLY]

Um [SIGHS]

I apologize in advance.

to your living quarters.

This is where you'll be

staying during the test.

Normally, this is where

the seasonal workers stay.

On the table, there is a mystery bottle

selected by Alexandre Léger himself.

This bottle comes from the

domaine, but neither Philippe,

nor Thomas Chassangre, here

present, know the details.

So, they won't be able to help you.

Moreover, in order to

guarantee their impartiality,

it is strictly prohibited for

them to speak to both of you

until the test is over.

You'll be trying this

wine. You'll identify it

and you will reproduce it.

How?

Until 6:00 p.m. tomorrow, you'll

have access to the whole property,

and in particular, to the winery.

The Chassangre estate has carefully kept

numerous bottles of grape varieties

that haven't been blended.

You'll be authorized to pick among these

in order to reconstitute the wine

you tasted as closely as you can.

The wine that you

have blended yourselves

will be blind-tasted by Mr. Chassangre

who will give a score to each attempt.

This score will be added to

those of the two Paris tests

and the final tally will be

completed in Japan on our return.

At which point, we'll be

able to declare the winner.

Any questions?

Then we can get started.

[SPITS]

[PHILIPPE INHALES, EXHALES DEEPLY]

Mr. Tomine!

Oh, the winery is the other way!

[PHILIPPE, IN FRENCH] Tomine, huh?

[FRANÇOIS] Hmm.

I had clients, a long time

ago, with the name "Tomine."

The young man comes from

a great Japanese family.

By "great family," I

mean a great fortune.

S Sorry to ask you this,

but do you have anything to eat?

I'm starving. You have no idea.

Uh, yes, I have.

Come with me.

- [BIRDS CHIRPING]

- [INSECTS CHITTERING]

[SIGHS]

I know you're here.

I know that technically

you can't speak to me,

but I can.

You're handsome.

[INHALES DEEPLY] I

think the mystery wine is

a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 1990.

Which grape variety? Easy.

We know that there are 13.

Grenache, Mourvèdre, Vaccarèse,

Terret Noir, Muscardin, Clairette,

Piquepoul, Picardan, Roussanne,

Bourboulenc, Syrah, Counoise, Cinsault.

Now, using what ratio? If

I don't use the exact ratio,

it would not be a

Châteauneuf-du-Pape anymore.

It looks like an equation

with 13 unknown elements,

and I am terrible at math.

And I'm talking to myself. Great.

[SNIFFS]

[SNIFFS]

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]

The Italian wine.

Tell me how you found it.

Thirty years ago,

my parents were students.

They had your father as a teacher.

They knew each other very well.

I accidently found

Alexandre's old classes.

He used Fede Galizia's painting.

The wine was already mentioned there.

So I was just lucky.

Very lucky.

Hey, did you find it?

[SCOFFS]

You want to make sure

I'm on the wrong track?

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 1990.

I have no doubt you've found it.

What you've managed to do in

such a short time is incredible.

How did you do it?

[EXHALES DEEPLY]

I have nothing to do with it.

My

talent is only down to my genes.

Genes?

Okay.

I see them appear in front of me.

Even when I was a kid.

The wine aromas?

If I focus on them,

I can see them.

Sometimes, it's just colors

or even sounds.

Musical notes.

I do nothing special. It's instinctive.

In my case,

there is nothing instinctive.

Everything is thought through,

considered,

analyzed.

So, you have a superpower.

[SCOFFS]

Yay! [CHUCKLES]

Super Camille. [CHUCKLES]

[LAUGHS]

I'm going to bed.

I'm exhausted.

- See you tomorrow?

- Yeah.

[SNIFFS]

[SWALLOWS]

[WIND HOWLING]

[HOWLING STOPS]