Wine and War

In the vineyards, wine caves, and cellars of France as war and occupation came to the country winemakers acted heroically, not only to save the best wines but to defend their way of life.

These are the true stories of vignerons who sheltered Jewish refugees in their cellars and of winemakers who risked their lives to aid the resistance. They made chemicals in secret laboratories to fuel the resistance and fled from the Gestapo when arrests became imminent.

There were treacheries too, as some of the nation's winemakers supported the Vichy regime, or the Germans themselves, and collaborated.

Donald Kladstrup is a retired American network correspondent. He and his wife Petie have accumulated these fascinating stories, told with the pace and action that will fascinate fiction and non-fiction readers alike.

“Entertaining and informative”

A sprightly and amusing book, full of spicy anecdotes - Evening Standard

- Sunday Telegraph

A vibrant panorama of the different wine-producing regions and how they responded to the challenge - Sunday Express

Until his retirement in 1997, Donald Kladstrup was one of America's most distinguished network correspondents. He and his wife, Petie Kladstrup, have made Paris and Normandy their home for decades and are widely published on French Wine. Their articles have appeared in The Wine Spectator, among other magazines.

In the vineyards, wine caves, and cellars of France as war and occupation came to the country winemakers acted heroically, not only to save the best wines but to defend their way of life.These are the true stories of vignerons who sheltered Jewish refugees in their cellars and of winemakers who risked their lives to aid the resistance. They made chemicals in secret laboratories to fuel the resistance and fled from the Gestapo when arrests became imminent.There were treacheries too, as some of the nation's winemakers supported the Vichy regime, or the Germans themselves, and collaborated.Donald Kladstrup is a retired American network correspondent. He and his wife Petie have accumulated these fascinating stories, told with the pace and action that will fascinate fiction and non-fiction readers alike.

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