Up in Breckinridge to work thru the BarneyBox and just started reading this book by Don&Petie Kladstrup. Since it was published in 2001, I'm a bit late to the game.
The book tells the story of France from the late '30s thru WWII (as I listen to the cannons outside doing Avalanche control...lends a certain poignancy) mostly thru the eyes of five French wine families (Drouhin, Trimbach, Huet, others) and the importance that wine played in the war. It's the historical background that I'm finding particularly interesting.
Just finished the chapter up to the invasion of France by the Nazis. The French, including the French Jews, are bemoaning the large influx of Jews from Germany and Italy and how it's degrading the French culture. One is struck by the courage of many of the French vignerons in taking in the Jewish refugees. Hmmmm.....seems to me a similar story to one I've heard more recently!!!
Anyway, if you've not yet read this book, get thee to thy nearest library.
Tom