1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 550 Michelin Inspector
Ronan underestimated Theodore.

He closed his eyes and drank the bowl of 'witch's potion', finding it surprisingly delicious. His stomach, which had been working intensely for two days, felt very comfortable, and he felt warm all over.

After the two finished breakfast, they walked onto the streets of Papal New Castle.

"Where did you learn how to make that soup? What's it called?" Ronan was full of curiosity about the dish.

Theodore was still wearing a black suit today, and he was still carrying that big backpack on his back. The backpack was even bigger because it contained an extra small bucket, which was specially prepared for Ronan.

“It doesn’t have a name. I learned it from the kitchen of a spa resort, a place where you can restore your body to its best condition,” Theodore asked earnestly. “Do you need me to give you the address?”

"No, no, if I need that, I'll come to Papal Newcastle to find you, and you can do it for me." Ronan shook his head like a rattle-drum.

The soup tasted really good and its effects were nothing short of miraculous, but Ronan wasn't a fan of places like sanatoriums.

Theodore shrugged noncommittally:

"There are many therapeutic recipes there that can help repair a tired body and make you look radiant. I sincerely recommend that you stay there for a while."

After spending two days together, Ronan's understanding of Theodore deepened—he was a very health-conscious person, living a life so healthy that he didn't seem like a Provençal.

"Are you from Provence?" Ronan asked, seemingly without thinking.

Theodore did not have close contact with the members of the association, and Ronan knew nothing about his situation.

Theodore asked in a tone that seemed to ask, "Are you alright?"

"Of course, they are native Provençal people, and they have the most 'Provençal' religious beliefs."

In fact, apart from some major events, such as marriage or the birth of a child, Ronan did not feel a particularly strong religious atmosphere in Provence.

The local postal calendar marks the anniversaries of hundreds of guardians who protect all sorts of things, from villages to vegetables, from farmers to carpenters.

The villages are also home to magnificent churches, monasteries, and convents, so you could say that living in Provence means you can find places of worship everywhere.

But these places are mostly empty. Less than one-tenth of the residents in southern France regularly go to church.

Religious topics are sensitive, and Ronan did not discuss with his friends at the gathering why people did not go to church. He made an irresponsible guess that people in Provence used the time they would have spent on worship to eat and drink.

“I thought your faith was about health,” Ronan joked. “I never imagined you were such a devout believer.”

It's quite something that a second devout believer has appeared in his life; the first was Thomas, his neighbor on the commercial street.

Theodore laughed out loud:

"The faith I'm talking about isn't the one you think it is."

"Huh? What's that?" Ronan was a little confused.

Theodore pointed to the shops and stalls around him:
"The Provençal people's faith is in eating and drinking, and it has been for thousands of years."

Today is Châteauneuf-du-Pape's annual wine festival, and many wine shops have sprung up all over the streets.

Today, no matter where you are in Papal Newcastle, you can hear vendors loudly shouting – Free samples! Free samples!

In addition to these wine merchants that have sprung up like mushrooms after rain, a carousel, a shooting range, temporary snack stalls, and many long tents have appeared in the square and open space. The tent curtains are half-closed, but they do not stop the lively laughter inside.

"The atmosphere today is like a festival." Surrounded by this atmosphere, Ronan couldn't help but smile.

The last time I saw such a lively scene was at the Lourmaran Vow Festival last year.

Theodore stopped in front of the carousel, looked at the children on it, and said to Ronan:

"If the auction is a feast for wine merchants and vineyard owners, then the wine festival is a carnival for all, and it is the most lively day of the year in Châteauneuf-du-Pape."

After saying that, he turned to look at Ronan and carefully reminded him:

“In Provence, all festivals related to food and drink are great opportunities for everyone to revel and attract the attention of many outsiders. Stella should take advantage of this.”

Ronan said that he came with the intention of learning today, and Theodore would patiently remind him of anything that could be discussed.

“Understood.” Ronan tried hard to remember what his surroundings looked like. “When Lourmaran holds its Rosé Festival, it should be like this, a national celebration.”

Today's itinerary is relatively relaxed. During the day, we'll wander around and soak up the atmosphere of the wine festival, then follow Theodore to sample wines, and in the evening, we'll attend a celebration of the harvest year hosted by the vineyard owners.

“Yesterday was a dinner organized by the local winery alliance, and today is a celebration hosted by the plantation owners—it’s one event after another,” Ronan asked Theodore. “But are the attendees the same people as yesterday?”

Theodore casually accepted the sample wine offered by a roadside vendor:

"Then you're mistaken. Today's event is two to three times larger than yesterday's. The dinners organized by local winery owners are only for people in the industry, but the plantation owners have invited people from all over the world, from all walks of life. I heard that the list has been doubling and doubling again this year, with so many people that even the largest restaurants and hotels in Châteauneuf-du-Pape can't accommodate them all. They have to move it outdoors."

Ronan shook his head at the wine merchant and refused the wine.

"It seems that farmers everywhere are the most hospitable and welcoming."

Being with Jackson reminded Ronan of his farmer friends in Lourmaran, especially his dark skin and thick arms.

In Lourmaran, farmers are among the most enthusiastic people.

Soon, the two strolled to the venue for tonight's event. Along one side of the building, huge barrels of wine were piled up, their contents enough to fill Ronan's swimming pool ten times over, and workers were still piling up new ones.

“Someone’s going to be in trouble again tonight,” Theodore said, shaking his head. “The situation is even worse than yesterday!”

Ronan quickly left the area:
"I'm definitely not one of the unlucky ones."

The wine festival attracted many visitors from out of town, and today's wine tasting was much larger than the previous two days.

At the wine tasting two days ago, Theodore could tell the story of everyone; today, he'd be lucky to get to know half of them.

At a small wine tasting in the afternoon, Theodore was the only native Provençal present, as everyone, including Ronan, was from out of town.

Ronan and Theodore had become quite familiar with each other, and he lowered his voice to joke:

"Don't be sad. At least you still know me, which is better than those strangers from out of town who don't know anyone."

Theodore replied with a smile:
"Who said I only know you? There's actually one person among these people who looks familiar to me."

Ronan let out a surprised "Huh?" and his eyes secretly swept across the crowd:
Which one do you know?

Theodore turned and looked in one direction:
"I also know the one with long hair."

Ronan turned around and quickly spotted his target.

He was a middle-aged man with long brown hair, elegant manners, and a diplomatic air about him. His face was clearly not from the South of France; he was too pale.

"Is he a sommelier too?" Ronan asked in a low voice.

Theodore turned around, paused for a few seconds, and then answered:
"No."

"So how did you two meet?" Ronan asked, even more curious.

“Strictly speaking, I know him, but he doesn’t know me,” Theodore replied cryptically.

Ronan grinned slyly.
"Want to make friends, but haven't been able to?"

Theodore turned his head and stared at Ronan, saying:
"Of course not, but I guess you'd rather befriend him."

"Why?" Ronan looked directly at Theodore.

Theodore swirled his wine glass and said in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"That man is a Michelin inspector; he recommended several Michelin-starred restaurants in Provence."

Ronan's eyes lit up instantly. Michelin—the highest honor for French restaurants, the Olympics of the culinary world.

No French restaurant owner wouldn't want that star.

There is so much to say about the Michelin Guide, among which the most talked-about aspects are its restaurant rating system and the mysterious men and women who work in this important system—the Michelin inspectors.

These inspectors, like ghosts, move between various restaurants, scoring and evaluating their food, ambiance, and service.

Earning a star can make an unknown chef famous overnight.

Wherever there is a Michelin Guide, and whenever people discuss food, its name is likely to be mentioned.

If that star is unfortunately lost, it could very well be a failure for a restaurant and a group of people, causing many to lose clumps of hair as a result.

The problem is that no one knows the inspectors' names, no one knows what they look like, and it is said that only a few people working at the Paris headquarters know their full list.

"Are you sure he's a Michelin inspector?" Ronan asked incredulously. "Isn't the inspector's identity supposed to be confidential?"

Even Mr. Jacques couldn't find out which gentlemen or ladies decided his fate each year.

Theodore loosened his tie:
“As I have said, I have the most Provençal religious beliefs and am very devout, and devout believers will naturally receive some inspiration.”

Theodore didn't want to explain his reasons, but Ronan believed he wasn't lying.

A renowned wine connoisseur from Provence has no reason to jeopardize his reputation over this.

"Where are you going?" Theodore asked Ronan, who had suddenly left.

Ronan waved without turning his head:
"Go and get to know them."

Getting in through connections and using back channels is obviously not going to work.

That would be the most foolish thing to do.

Ronan wanted to subtly find out some inside information, at least how to attract the inspectors' attention.

Normally, inspectors do not reveal their identities, so we need to find another topic to talk about this time.

Ronan observed for a while and found that the long-haired man had come alone without any companions, so he stood next to him.

After tasting two or three rounds of wine, Ronan suddenly said to himself:
"The wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape are much better; they're much stronger than those from Burgundy."

France has three very famous wine regions.

Bordeaux, Provence, and Burgundy have very large markets and audiences.

The wines from these three regions each have their own characteristics and are rivals to each other.

Although this wine tasting event was small in scale, it was quite professional. After several rounds of tasting, it became clear that everyone there was an expert. And those who know wine in France cannot do without these three wine regions.

Ronan, after observing the man, guessed that he was from Bordeaux.

As for why this judgment was made, we need to look at its appearance.

People from Provence are bathed in sunshine year-round, and their bronze skin is a hallmark of their culture. Most of them have naturally curly hair, which is mostly light brown, with occasional golden blonde hair, like Zoe's.

Bordeaux is located in southwestern France, bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It has a maritime climate with heavy fog, and in some months it is shrouded in rain and fog all day long. People with this climate have pale skin and darker hair than people from the south.

Burgundy is located in the eastern interior, with weak sunlight but high latitude, making it difficult to achieve a uniform skin tone. However, people there have high cheekbones, and men are prone to balding after the age of 30.

The inspector had thick brown hair and pale skin, and looked like a Bordeaux native or from the surrounding area.

So Ronan deliberately belittled Burgundy wines; the enemy of my enemy is my friend, of course.

Upon hearing Ronan's complaint, the man chuckled and chimed in:
"The wines of Burgundy are now as bland as water."

In recent years, the three major wine regions have seen a significant change in style.

Provençal wines are becoming increasingly intense because the alcohol content of the grapes far exceeds the 15% AOC requirement.

Bordeaux had already captured the high-end market in its early years. In order to find another way out, Burgundy proposed the goal of globalization and has been making its wines lighter and lighter in the last two years.

Bordeaux, however, also has its problems.

“The wines from Bordeaux are good, but they’re too expensive; only the Japanese can afford them,” Ronan asked the man. “Are you also here to find wine in Châteauneuf-du-Pape?”

Alone, Ronan displayed remarkable professionalism, and the man naturally struck up a conversation:

"Yes, I'm here to find some good wine. It's so hard to find cheap and good wine these days."

Ronan sighed as well:

"That's right, I've been to so many wineries and drunk so much wine these past few days. By the way, have you found any good wine?"

Ronan was clearly not a local, and the long-haired brown man thought he had met a kindred spirit.

"I just arrived today and haven't seen many places yet. Have you found anything nice?"

“I’ve been in Papal Newcastle for a few days now, and I’ve actually come across a few pretty good ones.” Ronan warmly invited, “Want to have lunch together? I’ll share them with you.”

Ronan wanted to observe more during the meal.

The inspectors' job is to eat, and when they eat, they naturally reveal many special habits and unique details.

The brown-haired man's eyebrows, which had been in a natural state, suddenly rose up, like a cat with its fur standing on end.

Without any hesitation, he refused:

"No, I only have one day in Papal Newcastle. I'll skip lunch and look around."

"That night?" Ronan asked again.

The man continued to shake his head. Ronan knew that continuing to ask him out would only lead to repeated failures. This man seemed very averse to and cautious about having meals with strangers, probably worried about giving himself away.

After that, Ronan said no more and continued with the wine tasting session.

The two stood together the entire time, and even came out together after the wine tasting. Ronan took the initiative to introduce them:

"My name is Ronan."

The person responded politely:
“Gregua”.

Ronan asked in a casual tone:
Are you going to the celebration tonight? Let's sit together then.

Greguar shook his head:

"I didn't receive an invitation; I'm just here to visit the wine festival."

Ronan said regretfully:

"That's the most interesting event at the wine festival. Would you like to go? I might be able to find you an invitation."

Mr. Jacques returned to Bonnillo, and Theodore happened to have a bill to spare.

Greguar hesitated for a few seconds, then asked tentatively:

"Will it cause you trouble?"

Ronan said with great enthusiasm:
"Of course not, I just had a friend leave, let's meet at the square tonight."

Gregoll, let me see if your mouth is still so tight when you're drunk!
(End of this chapter)