Wednesday 12 September 2012

Chateau la Canorgue - A Good Year

 
Sometimes we all need a bit of escapism - a book or a movie that takes us back to summer and long sun-dappled days. One of those movies for me is A Good Year, directed by Ridley Scott close to his house in the Luberon and based on a book by Peter Mayle, author of A Year in Provence, and an old neighbour of Scott’s.
 
The premise has its roots in many a cosy daydream: a young man (Russell Crowe) inherits a dilapidated vineyard in Provence after the death of his uncle. He has a high-pressure job in the City of London and can hardly spare the time from making money to take a non-business phone call – until he makes a flying visit to France to see it. The film also stars Albert Finney and Marion Cotillard…and the Château la Canorgue, a mile or so from Bonnieux.

It’s one of those films that may not have been a huge box-office success when it was released in 2006 but has become a quiet hit on DVD. And quite rightly so: it’s warm and romantic with gentle dollops of wine, food and country wisdom, the kind of film you find yourself watching again when you want some uncomplicated relaxation.

There’s some lovely cinematography of the landscape and anyone who knows the area will enjoy spotting the familiar sights of the castle at Lacoste, and the views across from the Café de France there over to Bonnieux, as well as the Café de la Rennaissance at Gordes in a key scene. 


Le Château la Canorgue makes a beguiling backdrop. The mellow umber faҫade of the main house slumbers under shady trees, a grand old lady of all our Provenҫal dreams. There’s nothing overdone here. The plaster flakes at the same rate as the bark on the plane trees.

In front of the house is an ornamental pond, which may or may not have been constructed for the film. Now it is clear and serene with a sentinel cypress overlooking the immaculate vines, in contrast to the atmosphere of tangled neglect in the scene from the film (below my photo).


 
 
In real life, the wines produced here have been going from strength to strength. The rosé, in particular, with its juicy strawberry notes and inviting pale peach colour, is a fixture on almost every restaurant list in the area. Winemaker Jean-Pierre Margan, whose family has lived and worked here for generations, has been named Winemaker of the Year by the Gault-Millau magazine.
 
 
When we went in to buy a case a few months ago, the cool of the wine cave was a tantalizing place to linger while outside the countryside was almost silent in the heat. The château itself itself isn’t open to the public but for the curious and romantic, I suggest a comfortable sofa, a nice glass of wine and a look around – especially the dreamy view of the terrace – by settling down in front of A Good Year on the DVD player. Santé!
 
PS: And if you've seen the film and are curious about what Cucuron - where the romantic date took place at the outdoor cinema set up over the vast bassin - looks like in normal circumstances, click here.
 
 
 



50 comments:

Mem said...

Thanks for the reminder...I loved that film and will now watch it again!

Harvee said...

I will look for this film set in Provence!

Michel said...

I loved the Good Year and have watched it quite a few times. I think that when you have spent time in the Luberon, you have a greater appreciation for the film because you recognize so many venues where movie scenes were staged. We have been most everywhere except for Château la Canorgue. Now that I know that they make a great rose, I will make sure we go when we are back home in Provence in a few weeks.

Karen Wojcik Berner said...

Sounds lovely. I could use a quick mental vacation this week.

Half-heard in the Stillness said...

One of my favourite films, I watch it over and over! That and 'A House in Tuscany'.

stadtgarten said...

I love this film and I love the Provence!!!!
Although the film was produced in the Luberon area, it is also full of images and situations which I know from "our" part of the Provence, east of the Durance river.
Every time my husband an me are feeling "homesick", we watch this beautiful film and begin to dream....

On one of our last trips to Provence we stopped in a beautiful village in the Luberon and I realized that it was there where they filmed the scene with the cinema.

Thank you so much for these impressions from chateau la Canorgue.
Monika

Sara Louise said...

I love that film and Peter Mayle! I'm reading Toujours Provence right now :)

Evelyn said...

Do you know that "A Good Year" has a Goult connection?? It was being filmed in 2005 during my first trip to Provence. My friend in Goult, Patrick Payet had a restaurant and cooking school in the village at that time. Several nights I was there, film crew folks would be eating in the restaurant. Patrick has a 2 sec. 'extra' part in the movie which is the reason I bought it! I love the part where Russell Crowe stops and calls Gema because he doesn't know which direction to go...I've been to those exact signs! Makes me long for Provence every time I watch the movie.

Marcheline said...

Have never seen this - it's on my list as of today! I worked one summer at a vineyard, and the photos you posted bring back such memories of the feel of the place.

Caroline Streek said...

I adore this film and have watched it about 17 times. My husband thinks I'm completely barmy, of course, but there is just something about the film that I cannot resist.

LizF said...

One of my favourite films as well - a real comfort watch along with My House In Tuscany.
Thank you for the reminder - it will make a lovely escape from cold grey England and all the horrible news!

LizF said...

I got it wrong! The other film I mentioned as a comfort watch is My House in Umbria with Maggie Smith - I have no idea what My House in Tuscany is like or even if it exists in film form!

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nmr said...

i have watched this film many times and also listen often to the soundtrack -- there is indeed something magical about the film; i live in Ohio USA and we endure dreary, cold, cloudy winters... so several times each winter, i share some time with Max and the Sunshine, and the Wine... i've even ordered wine from the chateau... and uncork a bottle with friends to enhance the whole experience!

Anonymous said...

I live in Poland and I have the same obession - watching "A Good Year" at least a few times a year...

Anonymous said...

Greetings from Lacoste. Drinking beer with view on Chateau la Canorgue.

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