WW2 Part 1: Wine, War and the Battle for France’s Vineyards
02/06/25 • 37 min
When the Nazis stormed into France, they weren’t just after land—they had their eyes on the ultimate spoils of war: France’s legendary vineyards became battlegrounds, not just for soldiers, but for winemakers fighting to protect their lifes’ work from the clutches of the Third Reich.
In this episode, Henry Jeffreys and Tom Parker Bowles look at the dramatic, and often absurd, true story of how the Nazis tried to loot France’s finest vintages—and how the French fought back, sometimes with nothing more than a well-placed spider web. From vineyards bricked up behind false walls to daring escapes through underground wine cellars, this is history as rich and intoxicating as a fine Burgundy.
Meet the so-called Wine Führers—German officials who were meant to “manage” the French wine trade but often found themselves duped by the very vintners they sought to control. Learn how entire vintages were hidden beneath haystacks, mislabelled as vinegar, or sent to Hitler’s personal stockpile—where he barely touched a drop. Meanwhile, the French Resistance wasn’t just blowing up bridges—they were sabotaging Nazi wine shipments, stealing back barrels, and in one case, using a staged Fête du Vin to cover up an escape tunnel from a POW camp.
With betrayal, bravery, and a whole lot of booze, this is the story of how wine became a secret weapon of war—and how France’s most precious vines survived the darkest days of history. Join us for a vintage tale of resistance, deception, and the ultimate toast to liberation.
Supported by Taylor’s Port
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When the Nazis stormed into France, they weren’t just after land—they had their eyes on the ultimate spoils of war: France’s legendary vineyards became battlegrounds, not just for soldiers, but for winemakers fighting to protect their lifes’ work from the clutches of the Third Reich.
In this episode, Henry Jeffreys and Tom Parker Bowles look at the dramatic, and often absurd, true story of how the Nazis tried to loot France’s finest vintages—and how the French fought back, sometimes with nothing more than a well-placed spider web. From vineyards bricked up behind false walls to daring escapes through underground wine cellars, this is history as rich and intoxicating as a fine Burgundy.
Meet the so-called Wine Führers—German officials who were meant to “manage” the French wine trade but often found themselves duped by the very vintners they sought to control. Learn how entire vintages were hidden beneath haystacks, mislabelled as vinegar, or sent to Hitler’s personal stockpile—where he barely touched a drop. Meanwhile, the French Resistance wasn’t just blowing up bridges—they were sabotaging Nazi wine shipments, stealing back barrels, and in one case, using a staged Fête du Vin to cover up an escape tunnel from a POW camp.
With betrayal, bravery, and a whole lot of booze, this is the story of how wine became a secret weapon of war—and how France’s most precious vines survived the darkest days of history. Join us for a vintage tale of resistance, deception, and the ultimate toast to liberation.
Supported by Taylor’s Port
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Previous Episode
The Admiral, The Navy, and the Wine That Won the Day
In this episode of Intoxicating History, Henry Jeffreys and Tom Parker Bowles tell the remarkable story of how Admiral Nelson, fresh from beating the French at the Battle of the Nile, stumbled upon a Sicilian wine that would fuel the Royal Navy and become the most famous wine in the world - for a while at least. Marsala wasn’t just a drink; it was a symbol of empire, ingenuity, and excess.
But that’s just the start. From the scandal of Nelson’s affair with Lady Hamilton to his brutal actions in Naples, the episode unpacks the messy mix of heroism and controversy that defined the man. You’ll meet John Woodhouse, the Liverpudlian who made Marsala famous, hear about naked vineyard escapades, and learn how sailors balanced their biscuits and rum on the high seas.
It’s a story of wine, war, and a little bit of scandal. Pour yourself a glass—this is history worth toasting.
Supported by Taylor’s Port
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Next Episode
WW2 Part 2: From Vines to Victory
The Nazis are retreating, the Allies are advancing, and the fate of France’s most prized vineyards hangs in the balance. What happens when a desperate army turns to scorched earth tactics? Could centuries of winemaking history be wiped out in an instant?
In this gripping follow-up to our deep dive into wine and war, Henry Jeffreys and Tom Parker Bowles uncover the high-stakes battle to save France’s greatest vintages. From the Champagne Campaign to daring acts of resistance in Bordeaux, they reveal the hidden stories of courage, collaboration, and sabotage that shaped the future of French wine.
Join us as we explore the extraordinary role of wine in World War II—how it was looted, hidden, fought over, and ultimately preserved. With secret cellars, last-minute betrayals, and even a German soldier saving Bordeaux’s port from destruction, this is history at its most intoxicating.
Supported by Taylor’s Port
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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