Late Harvest Havoc by Alaux Jean-Pierre

Author:Alaux, Jean-Pierre [Alaux, Jean-Pierre]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: French culture, European fiction, food, amateur sleuth, France, gourmet, cozy mystery, Alsace, whodunit, European mysteries, gentleman detective, wine
Publisher: Le French Book
Published: 2015-11-22T08:00:00+00:00

8

The vines descended the mountain in highly regimented rows. They were battalions in golden armor ready to do battle in the valley. But these vines would never cross the Mosel River. Such a maneuver would have been suicidal. Riesling needed exposure to southern sun and a steep incline in slate-rich soil that furrowed in stormy weather. The steeper the slope, the better the wine. It had been this way since the eighteenth century, and no one would have dreamed of experimenting with new vines in the valley near Niederemmel, except to make Qualitätswein mit Prädikat, so-called superior quality wines like Kabinett de Moselle.

No one, that is, but Fritz Loewenberg, with his light wines containing less than eight percent alcohol. Loewenberg himself drank only his honey-scented and delightfully sweet Goldtröpfchen, except on certain special occasions. According to some, he was the richest man in Piesport. Benjamin thought this could be true. But the man’s production was minor in relation to his ambitions. He had set his sights on Saint Émilion.

“I need that to completely satisfy myself,” he had told Benjamin.

Benjamin Cooker had been in Piesport for two days. He was staying in Loewenberg’s pretentious mansion with gables and a slate roof. It was filled with ancient armor and tapestries that were tended daily. The furniture, copper pots, and wood floors gleamed. And as far as Benjamin was concerned, the house lacked even an ounce of charm. He couldn’t abide the cold Germanic severity.

The night before, he had dined with Fritz Loewenberg. He was a somewhat agreeable man who spoke refined French almost without accent, and he sprinkled his conversation with touches of humor. In truth, the vinification posed no major problems. It was just a little exercise in style for the winemaker from the Gironde, a sort of stroll through the vines on the vertiginous slopes and in the wine warehouses, each of which was polished like a ship’s deck. Benjamin’s real assignment was boosting the estate’s reputation, which the previous cellar master had tarnished. That wouldn’t be too hard to accomplish. The job was straightforward and paid well.

More delicate was the role of mediator Loewenberg intended to have him play in the purchase of a premier cru at the gates of the Saint Émilion citadel. For more than twenty years, Benjamin had been the regular wine expert for this château, which was highly coveted by the Bordeaux wine-trade network. Benjamin could intercede on behalf of the German wine producer, guaranteeing that Loewenberg would respect the network’s interests in the distribution and sale of the estate’s production. Meanwhile, the acquisition would help Loewenberg spread his winemaking investments and serve as a cushion if German wines experienced a decline.

Loewenberg had brought out the most beautiful bottles from his cellar. Despite the businessman’s somewhat intimidating bearing, he was a knowledgeable lover of French, Swiss, and Italian wines. His palate was reliable, and so was his judgment. He was assuring Benjamin that the transaction would be a smooth one. Unfortunately, Loewenberg had the bad habit of going on and on.

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