Original subtitles

SORRY I COULDN'T HELP YOU PACK. GOOD LUCK :)

FERN

The contest is five days from now, and you only identified one aroma.

I know you're tired, but can you try some more?

Don't give up.

Don't swallow, okay?

Spit it out.

Okay.

"Celery root,

cacao, pencil, chalk, fern,

clay, licorice."

Are you sure about the celery root?

No, I'm not sure.

Do you remember the weird salad

with celery and mayonnaise at the cafeteria?

It had the same taste.

Well, it's because normally, we find celery root in white wines,

like Loire wine or Greek wine, but not in red wines.

Are you 100% sure?

Thomas, I don't know.

I can't focus anymore. My head's just...

Sorry, but it's just that the aromas you describe

don't correspond with any wines that I know and that drives me nuts.

That's enough for tonight.

We did a great job.

I'm going to bed.

- Good night. - Good night.

"Mirabelle,

blueberry,

celery root,

cacao, pencil,

chalk...

fern,

clay, licorice."

Mirabelle, blueberry.

Celery root?

Cacao, pencil, chalk,

fern, clay, licorice.

Mirabelle, blueberry,

celery root, cacao, pencil, chalk,

fern, clay, licorice.

Mirabelle, blueberry,

celery root, cacao, pencil,

chalk, fern, clay, licorice.

What are you looking for?

Can I help?

Okay.

What are you guys doing?

Okay.

I have it.

That's it.

In 1986,

a Touraine winegrower called André Gigon

decided to rehabilitate an old grape variety

no one had used since the Second World War, the "Lignage."

It's a very special grape variety,

and he made an exceptional wine with it, in both red and white.

I tasted both of them a long time ago. I remember now.

Confusing, but exquisite.

- "Lignage." - Yes.

Great. Where can we find it?

Well, we can't find it anymore.

André Gigon went bankrupt in 1996.

- Shit. - What?

The last bottle was auctioned off five years ago to Americans.

At what price?

10,000 euros.

- Holy shit. - Yeah.

The other bottles were sold at about the same price all over the world.

I'm leaving for Tokyo tonight. I need to find that wine.

I need to taste it to be sure.

I don't have a choice.

I have to go see him and ask if he still has a bottle.

Just one.

What will you do if he sells it for 10,000 euros?

I can help if you need.

- No, Philippe, I can't accept-- - Come on. Let's go.

What? But--

Are you seeing someone?

It's complicated.

What's complicated?

Men and me in general.

Okay.

You've been in relationships before, right?

Yes, yes, yes. Yes, yes. I mean...

nothing serious.

You know, when you're the girl that can't go to a restaurant,

who can't go out to party because she's the only one who doesn't drink alcohol--

In other words, someone who "can't enjoy the little things in life."

Well, men usually find that girl really...

- I see. Yeah. - Yeah.

And I'm 29 years old, and I still live with my mother, so it's really pathetic.

Well then, welcome to the club.

I live and work with my father, so you see, it's not any better.

Hey. Don't worry.

The new Camille is here.

Camille 2.0.

Great.

"AROMATIC PALETTE"

We're almost there.

Where are the vineyards?

Good question.

Hello.

Mr. Gigon?

André Gigon?

Yes?

Hello. Sorry to bother you. We are looking for André Gigon.

That's him. I'm his son. How can I help?

Can we talk?

Regarding what?

My father spent his life trying to create new wines

and experimenting with new working techniques.

He made organic wine long before anyone else.

He was trying to rehabilitate forgotten grape varieties.

Like Lignage, for example?

Yes, of course. I was there for the Lignage.

My father believed in it, and so did I.

He put all his energy and savings into it.

He managed to produce an incredible wine that rivaled the best,

and all thanks to a grape variety no one knew about.

He gave it his all, but we weren't producing enough volume.

We were a small company.

We also didn't have enough money for marketing

so nobody knew about our wine, except for some curious people.

Our business went bankrupt in 1996.

Our wine went through ten vintages. No more, no less.

We sold everything we had to clear the debts.

I realized some guys were lining their pockets.

10,000 euros for a bottle which we sold for 40 francs.

Mr. Gigon, do you, by any chance, still have a bottle of Lignage?

The wine you tasted in the competition,

you think it's ours?

It could be, but I need to taste it to be sure.

Sorry, I sold everything.

Among the aromas that I remember,

there's one that is usually not associated with red wine.

It's celery root.

You hear that, Dad?

Celery root.

Lignage's uniqueness is the ability to be vinified into red wine and white wine.

My father managed to make two colors in only one vintage.

We could taste red wine aromas in the white

and white wine aromas in the red.

So celery root is quite possible.

The bottle you are looking for could be Lignage, vintage 1987.

Goodbye, thank you.

Thank you.

Honestly, it's silly. I could take you.

Don't worry.

You have a long way to go.

He will take me straight to the airport. It's easier.

I wanted to thank you for everything you did.

You can't imagine. Thank you so much.

- Hello. - Hello.

Hello.

Well, take care of yourself then.

- Let's keep in touch. - Yeah.

Will you thank your dad for me?

Yes, of course, I will.

Goodbye, Camille Léger.

Goodbye, Thomas Chassangre.

Bye.

Nice to meet you. I'm Tomine.

I'm Yurika Katase.

May I?

I wanted to meet you

because you're covering stories about the "Léger testament."

I'd like you to publish what I'll say now as an official announcement.

I, Issei Tomine, wish to withdraw from Mr. Alexandre Léger's contest,

in order to dedicate myself entirely to my family's business: Tomine Diamonds.

Is that all?

What do you mean?

It's disappointing.

Next time, just send me an e-mail, please.

That way we'll both avoid wasting our time.

So, you said you wanted to focus on your family's business.

Truth is, you are withdrawing because you are scared, aren't you?

What are you talking about?

You're just scared to lose face to a woman coming from another world

and who's also Alexandre Léger's daughter on top of that.

I understand.

I've been doing my research.

I met some of your classmates from your oenology school.

They all said you were the most talented.

That's why Léger took you under his wing.

Something he'd never done before.

They said that only you can beat Léger's daughter...

and win against anyone else.

They said that's all you live for, wine.

If someone is not speaking honestly here, it's not me.

So now, what do you do? Give up or not?

Not easy, huh?

I'll leave you.

Take your time and think about it.

Nice to see you, Camille.

Look at this.

"The contest of the century."

"Out to conquer the red gold." "French-Japanese duel."

You are the news, not just here, everywhere.

This is my favorite.

"David against Goliath." And you are David, okay?

- Yeah, great. - You are making history, young lady.

Miyabi! Lorenzo!

Where are you guys?

- What? - Come, get over here.

Lorenzo is my nephew.

He wants to be a sommelier, so I asked Miyabi to train him.

He has a lot of potential, but let's say...

- He could do better. - Yeah.

Look at him. He's proud of himself.

No wonder he drives his parents to despair.

Lorenzo, this is the famous Camille.

Welcome to Japan, Camille.

- Thank you. Hello. - Miyabi! Ah, you're here.

So, in France, Camille had an illumination.

Come on, tell them.

I think the wine from the first challenge could be a Lignage, Domaine Gigon, 1987.

She went from, "I've never had a drop of wine" to,

"It's a Lignage, Domaine Gigon, 1987."

I could also be wrong. I mean, I didn't even taste the wine, so...

I have a bottle of Lignage, Domaine Gigon in one of my restaurants in Osaka.

But it's a 1990 vintage, not 1987.

And worse...

The price.

Yep. 12,000 euros.

I believe in you, Camille.

But I can't open a bottle worth 12,000 euros just for "could be."

I hope you understand.

Mr. Matsubara is coming tonight.

Mr. Matsubara?

Mr. Matsubara?

A rich businessman.

And a very superstitious one.

Every time he brought a client here, he closed the deal.

So he comes here a lot.

Miyabi can try to convince him to open the Lignage.

But there is a problem.

The bottle's opened in front of the client.

It never leaves the room.

And Mr. Matsubara isn't the kind of man to leave a single drop.

Shit.

If I could just get close to the bottle and smell the wine,

then maybe...

Okay.

You take care of Camille.

I'm going to get the bottle sent from Osaka.

"Take care"?

The wine you're going to serve is sensitive.

It shouldn't be decanted.

You should open it and get Mr. Matsubara to try it straightaway.

Number one,

you introduce the wine with the label facing the customers.

Two, you announce the wine.

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

Three, you cut the foil just beneath the lower lip of the bottleneck.

It's the knife that turns, not the bottle,

so the client always gets to see the label.

You wipe the edge of the cork to wipe off any potential mildew.

Then you plant the corkscrew.

When the screw is properly embedded,

anchor the first notch onto the bottleneck.

Lever it to extract the cork.

Do the same at the second level.

And finish with your hand for more discretion and avoid the pop,

which is too aggressive.

Sorry. I like the pop.

It says, "party time."

So, no party then, huh?

Then you check that there's no smell of cork,

and wipe the bottleneck again.

After that, you go to the client's right side to serve him.

You wipe the bottleneck again to make sure no wine drips onto the label.

And then wait for the client's approval before serving the others.

Thank you.

Your turn.

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

My father taught me how to do this...

when I was eight.

Maybe I should have told you that before.

Sorry.

Yeah, you could have told us that.

That's him.

- Thank you, Miyabi. - You're welcome.

You're the best. I love you. Thank you so much!

You're welcome, you're welcome.

Did you get it?

- Matsubara here? - Yeah, all good.

Thank you!

Good evening.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

Lignage, Domaine Gigon, 1990.

Mr. Matsubara!

Enjoy your dinner.

- Thank you. - Thanks.

Well?

I don't know. I'm not sure. I need to taste it.

It's not this one.

No.

- You did great tonight. - Thanks.

You know that my second name is Japanese?

Shizuku.

Drop?

Yeah.

My dad, the visionary. And look at me now.

Hey.

Don't be so hard on yourself.

I'm sorry, I have to take this.

- Hello? - Hello.

I wanted to make sure that you're okay.

How was the trip?

Are you nervous?

We messed up. It's not Gigon's wine.

No. Shit, shit, shit, shit!

Yep.

- Listen, it's not over yet. - I have 48 hours left.

If it's not over, it sure looks like it.

What about Luca? Can he help?

No, I think he has done enough.

I have wasted your time.

No, no, no, no, no. Camille, listen, don't give up.

Okay?

I miss you.

Honey?

- I'm going for a run. - Okay.

Love you.

Where is it?

Where is Issei's declaration?

He said he would do it.

Are you sure of that?

Yes, I'm sure.

Why are you afraid?

Are you afraid of your son?

If I push him any further, he will shut me out.

I don't know what to do with him anymore.

I think you are too harsh on your son.

Try to be nice to him for once.

Would you like to take a break?

What's going on?

I'm fired?

Of course not, come on.

You didn't forget about Thursday night, right?

Of course not.

Don't worry.

Hirokazu.

I need to ask you a favor.

I'm listening.

I need you to speak to Issei

to find out what he's thinking.

He didn't make any comments yet?

He still has mixed feelings.

Do you want me to help him clear up his mind?

Yes. Please.

Why me?

He listens to you.

He respects your opinion much more than mine.

That's why.

And what if he's changed his mind?

Well, then you make him change it again.

But what do I say to him?

Well, clearly...

a son must obey his parents, respect and follow his family tradition.

His place is here and not elsewhere.

But what if I don't agree with that?

What do you mean?

What I meant was, "wine might be his path."

What the hell are you talking about?

Do you want to give him up to Alexandre Léger?

I'm giving you my opinion because you asked--

I don't need your opinion.

Unfortunately it's too late for that.

I want Issei to make the right decision.

Do you understand?

- No way! - Surprise!

What are you doing here?

I can't stand it when someone hangs up on me.

- Hello. - Ms. Léger.

I'm looking for Luca.

He's in the cellar.

Come!

You speak Japanese?

Yes!

Camille.

We missed you.

- Who's this? - This is Thomas.

- Thomas Chassangre. - Yeah.

Welcome.

Congratulations on your work with Camille. Amazing.

Thank you.

You look good together, you two.

Listen, I made a decision.

My cellar is yours. And I lend you Lorenzo and Miyabi.

- Luca, you don't have to-- - Oh, don't worry. Make me proud.

- Hi. - Hello.

Your boyfriend?

Oh, no. No, no.

Just friends.

So, what do you have?

- Are you okay? - I'm fine. Let's take a break.

Dad.

Dad,

I think I've found my path.

Wine, it's my life.

If I give up now, I'll be unhappy for my whole life.

Like all of you.

Issei,

I think you should drop that contest.

A son must obey his parents.

That's the way it is. That's life.

- It's Mom who sent you, right? - Not at all.

You don't know how to lie.

You've always been the only one who understood me.

I'm so stupid to have hoped for it.

Why do you say that?

"That's the way it is. That's life"? It means nothing!

Where's your self-esteem?

How can you respect someone who doesn't even love himself?

I'm sorry,

but how much longer are you going to put up with the way Mom treats you?

You're just a coward.

It's not this one. I'm so sorry.

Okay, what's missing?

It's always the same. That fucking celery root is missing.

The wine I tasted has it. I'm sure of it.

Well, almost.

Or else, maybe it's not celery root. Maybe it's another aroma that's similar?

I don't know. I'm lost. I'm sorry.

Do you know what we need?

A break.

To clear our minds.

Recharge our batteries. You know?

All that.

Because sometimes,

it's when you stop searching that you actually find.

Come on, guys. My round.

Whiskey, guys!

Tom. Camille. Miyabi.

Holy shit.

- That's good. - Super good.

I know that one.

Where is he going?

Are we going to talk about it?

About what?

You, here, right now.

You needed my help. And you're my friend, so I came.

You traveled 10,000 kilometers for the sake of friendship?

Yes.

And because my father made a promise to yours.

Do you remember the last thing I said to you on the phone?

Camille, I'm with someone.

Yes, but you're here.

I'll be back.

- Everybody! - Yes, I'm fine.

I'm a little tired because of the jet lag but I'm okay.

Yeah.

And you?

Yeah?

I'll check it out when I get back, but right now I honestly don't have time.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I love you girls.

- Drink some water. - Why are you so heavy?

- Lorenzo, drink some water. - I really love you.

Okay. Sit here.

It came to me when I saw the rusty old bike.

I should have thought of it before.

Can you smell the celery root?

- Yeah. - Does it smell like the one from the test?

- No. - Nope.

Because it's not celery root that you smelled.

Better, right?

Getting closer.

Do you know what the difference is?

Oxidation. Because the wine is older.

We can have celery root aroma in a young wine.

But, year after year, it becomes...

Truffle. Oh, shit. That's it.

Well, that changes everything.

The truffle gives us two key elements.

One, there must be Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc in the blend.

It has to be a great vintage Bordeaux or a great world wine made with Cabernet.

And two, truffle is a sign of the wine's aging process.

So it has to be older than 2006.

And that's only possible for very, very great wines.

Okay, let's go.

Okay.

These are the wines that could fit.

Unfortunately, you won't be able to try them.

We don't have them here,

and considering the hour and the time it would take to find them,

it would be too late.

The problem is that both the Vega Sicilia and the Cheval Blanc

are made with exactly the same grape varieties.

It will be very difficult to tell them apart.

We shouldn't look for what they have in common.

We should look for what makes them different.

The Cheval Blanc has a classic maturation process in new barrels.

The Vega Sicilia Unico stays for at least six years in wood,

one of the longest aging processes

in the world for red wines in oak barrels.

You can't mistake this in a tasting, Camille.

So, Cheval Blanc: new barrels.

Vega Sicilia: old barrels.

But the hard thing will be to find the vintage,

and we cannot help you with that.

You're on your own.

Great.

I'm Issei Tomine.

I was told to come here.

It's time, they are waiting for you.

Good morning.

As promised, here is the wine for you to blind-taste

before handing your answers for the test.

I'll start with Mr. Tomine's response which is...

Chateau Cheval Blanc, 1999.

Ms. Léger's answer now.

Chateau Cheval Blanc, 2000.

The wine you tasted is a...

Chateau Cheval Blanc...

1999.

Mr. Tomine is the winner of this test.

Regarding the next test, I'll give you the details tomorrow

in my office, 4:00 p.m.

Already?

The first test has taken place.

Both candidates for the inheritance of Mr. Alexandre Léger

correctly identified the right wine.

But Mr. Tomine won the test

by identifying the correct vintage.

Excuse me.

- Hello. - Honoka.

You haven't forgotten, have you?

What time do you think you'll get here?

How could you do that to me?

Why didn't you stop him?

He won the test. Do you hear me?

It's your fault.

It's everywhere in the media now.

I really don't know.

I did tell him though.

You're incompetent. Totally useless.

You always get in my way.

I wish I'd never met you.

Do you have a big envelope?

Yes. A moment, please.

- Here it is. - Thank you.

Can I ask you to deliver this?

Yes, sir.