The film will be shown at the Espace Vilar in Pierrefeu-du-var, followed by a discussion with the film's director and Marc Birebent, a grafter by trade.
Synopsis of the film:
For the last 120 years, all French vines, defeated by phylloxera, have been grafted onto American stock. All of them? No. There are still a few hectares of francs pieds, these ungrafted grape varieties, a legacy of the past or the result of the fierce determination of a few producers to reintroduce the historical roots of French grape varieties and rediscover the taste of wines of yesteryear, despite the threat of phylloxera, a devastating aphid still established in Europe.
At a time when French winegrowing is making great strides - for environmental reasons - towards the creation of hybrid grape varieties, is this return to the original vine a mere fantasy or a legitimate struggle?
The film takes us on a journey to meet the winegrowers who cultivate francs de pieds, who dream of developing it, via an association, while awaiting a label and perhaps recognition from Unesco. We find out why it is difficult to maintain francs pieds on certain terroirs, and understand the benefits of this approach from a gustatory, agronomic and heritage point of view.
The film is based on scientific evidence from France and abroad, and invites tasting specialists (journalists, sommeliers, etc.) to give their opinion on the profile of these francs pieds cuvées.
