Читать книгу A Vineyard in the Dordogne - How an English Family Made Their Dream of Wine, Good Food and Sunshine Come True - Jeremy Josephs - Страница 4

FOREWORD

WHEN I FIRST approached Nick Ryman with the idea of writing his story, he told me in no uncertain terms where to go. Undeterred, I rang back. The second time he repeated his distinctly unwelcoming message even more vigorously. Despite that rather unpromising start, I eventually managed to persuade him of the seriousness of my purpose and after careful consideration he decided to give my project the green light. From the outset I emphasized that while my approach would be sympathetic, it would not be sycophantic. And to his credit, Nick agreed.

The Bacco family, Joseph, Agnès and François, whose lives were intertwined with those of the Rymans for over twenty years, also cooperated with me fully, and I’ll never forget the red-carpet treatment they gave me when I met them for the first time.

The writing of this book took over my own family’s life, as I whizzed between Bordeaux, Bergerac, Paris and elsewhere. But in fact, each time I inflicted my offerings on my wife Clair, she proved to be a skilful editor in her own right, and much credit is due to her insights.

I must also extend a big thank you to all the Josephs, both in France and England, who helped me in the research and writing of A Vineyard in the Dordogne.

I would also like to express my gratitude to the following people, all of whom assisted in various ways. So, very many thanks indeed to Eric Allonge, Pat Atkinson, Agnès Bacco, Fabienne Bacco, François Bacco, Joseph Bacco, Anthony Barton, Richard Bartholemew, Malcolm Brinkworth, Ginette Cathala, Jonathan Cavender, Nick Cooper, Stephen Davis, Richard Dawes, Maryvonne Denée, Sue Donoghue, Carole Huber, Esme Johnstone, Sara Johnstone, Stan Kinns, Michèle Lattes, Jean-Louis Lesage, Jonathan Margolis, Charles Martin, Sylvia Miller, Gabrielle Mondié, Henry Mondié, Patrick Montfort, Emil Perauer, Anne Ryman, Dr Anne Ryman, Camilla Ryman, Cicely Ryman, Corinne Ryman, Desmond Ryman, Hugh Ryman, Nick Ryman, Marie-Claude Sampson, Carole Sedler, Sian, Robert Smith, Marie-Pierre Tamagnon, Jean-Louis Trouillon, Murielle Valentini and Alan Whytock.

Jeremy Josephs