Rosalyn Acosta is heading to the Champagne region of France to select new vintages for her Napa-based employer. The catch - she is not much of a champagne drinker and is in a deep depression because of the death of her young husband.
On the plane she meets Australian vineyard owner Emma Kinsley. Emma, with a broken leg to deal with, is trying to organize letters from World War I between a French solider named Emile Legrand to her great grandmother Doris. During the war women called marraines de guerre - godmother of the war - wrote to soldiers to keep their morale up.Because Doris' mother originally came from France, Doris grew up a Francophile and felt she was doing her part during WWI. Emma has been trying to locate someone related to Legrand in France in hopes that they might learn what happened to him and if her great grandmother's letters survived.
The story switches back and from the present day to the war years. Under constant siege by German bombs, the women and children of Reims take shelter in a labyrinth of caves under the city. They are the famous champagne caves where bottles of the precious vintage of hidden from the Germans.
During the night the bravest among them creep out to pluck the ripe grapes for champagne. Among them is Lucie Marchal. She and her family are among the many who have sheltered in the caves. Lucie also corresponds with Emile because they grew up together.
Rosalyn discovers a cache of old letters and begins to piece together the mystery hidden deep within the cave, and maybe even begin to enjoy her life again.
The Vineyards of Champagne is a poignant tale of courage, love and devotion to tradition even in a time of crisis. A lovely story worth at least two glasses of Veuve Clicquot or Madame Pommery's champagne.
1 comment:
Loved this book!
Denise
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