Nightmare in Burgundy by Jean-Pierre Alaux & Noël Balen

Author:Jean-Pierre Alaux & Noël Balen [Alaux, Jean-Pierre]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Detective, cozy mystery, wine, Burgundy, France
Publisher: Le French Book
Published: 2014-03-17T00:00:00+00:00

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Cooker spent most of his day in the village, at the Bertagna wine estate, to establish a winemaking protocol on an experimental parcel of land. He had been in touch with the managers of the property for several months and had promised to spend some time with them when he came to the area for his induction. The project was exciting and still needed some adjustments, but the cellar master and the master grower were efficient and cooperative. After long consultation and a methodical test of the decanted samples, Cooker concluded that he would definitely have to come back to Vougeot to put a final touch on this limited vintage. Before leaving, he took advantage of the opportunity to taste several vintages of Clos de la Perrière Monopole, a true Vougeot wine, which was produced outside the château but whose balance he had always appreciated.

Once back at the hotel at the end of the afternoon, he allowed himself a break in the dining room for a cup of tea. Aurélie prepared a smoky lapsang souchong, which he drank in little sips while waiting for Virgile to return. The girl made some overtures to engage him in conversation. He went along, but wasn’t fooled. She finally gave herself away by casually asking one too many questions about his assistant, whose brown eyes had met hers that very morning. Cooker didn’t hesitate to give her the information that she was trying hard to get out of him.

“In fact, here he is!” Cooker exclaimed as he heard the familiar sound of the convertible.

Virgile walked in with the ease of a handsome guy used to making a theatrical entrance. His gaze came to rest on Aurélie’s smooth face.

“So?” Cooker said.

“Nothing but good news, sir,” Virgile said, his speech mildly slurred.

“But you look smashed, my boy,” Cooker said, worried.

“To be honest, I didn’t leave very clearheaded. It was so fine that toward the end, I didn’t have the willpower to spit. But don’t worry. I didn’t get behind the wheel right away. I took a little nap in the car, and the cold air woke me up.”

“That’s not very responsible,” Cooker grumbled. “I expected more professional behavior from you! Let’s see what your notes look like.”

Virgile took out a bundle of pages that his boss almost tore from his hands.

“Very cool atmosphere. I got along very well with Pascal Wagner. He’s a super sommelier. We talked about rock ’n’ roll almost as much as we talked about wine.”

The assistant was effusive and joyfully related his visit with Olivier Lefflaive. The wine tasting had taken place before a nice plate of local cured meats, Bresse chicken stewed in honey, and several local cheeses.

Cooker was not really listening to him and consulted the sheets to see if they were in order.

“Well, I am going to my room to read all of this in peace. Tonight I am skipping dinner. I decided to diet today, and considering your state, I suggest you do the same.”

Once in

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