Eric Nicolas' Editorial
- The pip!
It It's a nothing really, this iota of vegetable matter which has grown so far as to become the inspiration of all our wishes.
An iota of vegetable matter, but one which carries how many messages? A vast question to which we have studiously failed to reply since time immemorial. But you'll say "this is hardly a matter of planetary import". However, this little seed is certainly full of vitality.
As early as 1771 Father Rozzier deplored the lack of interest shown in it, and it's perfectly possible that many others before and after him have done the same. He ceaselessly criticised an absence of determination and isolation caused by those who seek the easiest way. And now, when we hear of nothing but biodiversity and multiracial richness how can one still burble on in this reassuring cotton wool of limited language?
Indeed, far from having exhausted the possibilities of the academic approach, this obvious lack of curiosity struck me, because it seemed to broaden an approach based on taste, thanks to what I suspect may be an enormous reservoir of natural genetic resources.
But, you see, it's complicated!
And when I say complicated, I could well say warped.
So... it behoves us to ask the most elementary questions possibly even before applying erudition which happily never ceases to progress. So... if we throw all this into the melting pot and let it bubble away, well, what can I say?
Let's look at the facts:
The origins, it's not simple, writings can disappear, archaeology whose techniques increasingly allow us to answer the age old question of the chicken and the egg, is also still unsolved but it might have existed. In what form? There's still work to be done... Whatever the case may be, the reassuring and economical route was quickly taken, and at that same speed, no doubt it led away from a route of rich expressiveness.
The root: hang on though, have you seen that root and what it does without us working the soil? It's flabbergasting. Leave it ten or fifteen years and I can't tell you where it might have got to. If you are looking for the origins of terroir - if this isn't part of it... But you see, such research wouldn't produce fruit, so - forget it!! I won't tell you that there aren't a few statistics to study, but if only that were all!
In any case, the rows of vines round Belliviere are stuffed with grapes, and apparently with well grown ones too. It's comical. But, economically, it wouldn't pay. So we save energy.. At least - we almost do, for we have taken cuttings, grafted, pruned, we have "saved ourselves trouble", or have we?
So once again, still this damned uncertainty.
And then powie! Phylloxera, which is more than threatening, it's a dreadful catastrophe which lays everything waste. A catastrophe which hasn't eliminated all our hopes of one day seeing seedlings produce wine, just because we want to, if only to quench our curiosity.
Because once again, quite apart from the worst case scenario, what have we done for Phylloxera which still remains an obstacle. Everyone who has tried to produce ungrafted vines can bear witness to their frustration. I can't say "better" but in any case unusually good.
Unusually good, because it's good differently, simply good, simply different.
Desnos, who was asked "why do you write?" simply answered "To make an appointment." The appointment is made. And at Belliviere, the appointment is made to go in search of this "Divine Beverage". "How long will it take?" It doesn't matter, for the appointment has been made. And as for Phylloxera? The risk: it matters little, we like to live dangerously. Fear does not eliminate danger according to the old saying; so if it only owes its existence to ignorance, let's use some of our energy against all these shades.
A simple hypothesis: might not the fact of asking these questions lead to ways of better understanding the bug. In theory anyway... Our new year's message as an attachment... and to be read equally without moderation!
2012
greetings card
