New French wine book for children launched

France's alcohol laws mean children aren't learning about their wine heritage, the editors of a new children’s book about wine say.

Vignes et Vins: Un Monde a Decouvrir (Vines and Wines: A World to Discover) by Sandrine Duclos and Cécile Gallineau aims to tell 7 to12-year-olds how lucky they are to live in a country where the culture of the vine plays such an important role.

With the help of illustrations it explains the cycle of vine-growing and the cultural role that wine plays in France, and tells the story of wine from the Romans to the present day.

The book was launched this week at Chateau Fonroque in Saint Emilion, a biodynamic property owned by Alain Moueix.

A spokesperson for Moeuix told Decanter.com he was interested in the project because of its emphasis on the natural side of wine-making, and its ‘green’ values – the books have all been printed and bound without the use of any glue or printing varnishes.

Editor Emmanuelle Garcia, whose idea the book was, told Decanter.com that France’s draconian anti-alcohol laws meant children weren’t learning about wine as they should.

‘We felt there were increasing gaps in the knowledge being transmitted to our children about the cultural role of wine.

‘There has been no negative reaction so far, but we will see… I explain each time that we are not promoting wine itself, but explaining a culture. We have really worked hard at ensuring the layout and language of the book is clear. This is about the heritage of France.’

An initial run of 200,000 copies has been printed, with plans to export the book to Quebec and other French-speaking countries. The publisher, Editions Mama Josefa, is also considering an English translation.

Written by Jane Anson in Bordeaux