Ireland isn’t the first country that comes to mind when considering the defining influences on the great châteaux of Bordeaux. But in the early 18th century, religious and political persecution forced many Irish to flee their homeland – and several reinvented themselves as winemakers. Now, a rather entertaining film has been made to document their intrepid adventures – and those of other Irish emigrés since.
A Sip of Irish documents how the so-called ‘Wine Geese’ – among them Châteaux Margaux, Leoville Barton, Lynch-Bages and Kirwan – were founded by these resourceful Irish trailblazers. The list extends to the now LVMH-owned Château d’Yquem and the Rothschild-owned Château Clarke, as well as arguably the biggest bird of them all – Hennessy Cognac.
Shot on location in Bordeaux, Cognac and Provence, the film’s cast includes the Barton family, Véronique Dausse of Phélan Segur, Philippe Bascaules of Château Margaux and Kinou Cazes of Lynch-Bages. With help from broadcaster Oz Clarke, it goes on to follow the path of modern-day Irish wonderers, speaking with Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley and actor Sam Neill, who owns the Two Paddocks winery in New Zealand.
After its French première at the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux on July 16th, director Frank Mannion will hotfoot it to London to present this exclusive screening for Members. Mannion, whose previous films include Sparkling: The Story of Champagne with Stephen Fry (‘a lush valentine to French bubbly’ – New York Times) and the ‘fast paced and entertaining’ (Sunday Times) Quintessentially British with Ian McKellen and Judi Dench, will introduce proceedings with details of the filming and some of the key stories behind it.
A short preview of the film can be seen here.
Just us for a relaxed evening, with popcorn – and a selection of wines, including a Bordeaux from one of the original ‘Wine Geese’ – provided.
The wines that will be poured:
2023 Pouilly-Fumé, Harmonie, Domaine Chatelain, Loire
2021 Chardonnay, Woodland, Wayfarer, Kent, England
2018 Château Mauvesin Barton, Moulis-en-Médoc, Bordeaux
2021 Le Difese, Tenuta San Guido, IGT Toscana, Italy
Tuesday 22nd July
St James’s Room
18:30 – Glass on arrival and introduction by Frank Mannion
19:00 – Screening begins
20:30 – Screening ends
