The Winemaker’s Wife is another fabulous read from Kristin Harmel. Harmel shines in her research and historical fiction writing about World War II in France and this is no exception. We peek into life in the vineyards in the Champagne region of France and a brassiere in Reims during the Nazi occupation.
The Nazis are very interested in keeping the production going in the Champagne houses for their own consumption so even the rural vineyards strongly feel their presence. Some characters want to “get along” with the occupying Nazis while others do what they can to help the French resistance.
The fictional story revolves around Ines, a young wife to Michel, the owner of the Maison Chauveau champagne house, his chef de cave (head winemaker) Theo, and his wife Celine, whose father is Jewish. Choices made during these trying times impact relationships and futures. Lies, secrets, betrayal, and danger as well as love, hope, and friendship swirl around their lives.
The dual timeline also shows us Liv’s story in 2019. After Liv’s divorce, her grandmother Edith swoops in and brings her back to France with her. Edith has secrets she needs to share with her granddaughter, but the pain of the truth makes it difficult for her. When Liv learns about Edith’s past and her part in hiding family secrets, Liv sees history and her world in a new way.
I highly recommend The Winemaker’s Wife. It was one of those books where I didn’t want to see the end unfold because I didn’t want to say goodbye to the characters or the Chauveau winery.