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'''''Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure''''' is a [[BBC]] television programme of which, thus far, there have been two series. It is presented by wine expert [[Oz Clarke]] and motoring journalist [[James May]] (of ''[[Top Gear (current format)|Top Gear]]'' fame), the former taking it upon himself to educate the latter about [[wine]]. In a recent fan interview it was suggested that there will be a third series, but possibly focused on beer rather than wine. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag8HYmVhNLE]
'''''Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure''''' is a [[BBC]] television programme of which, thus far, there have been two series. It is presented by wine expert [[Oz Clarke]] and motoring journalist [[James May]] (of ''[[Top Gear (current format)|Top Gear]]'' fame), the former taking it upon himself to educate the latter about [[wine]].


==First series==
==First series==

Revision as of 20:09, 14 September 2008

Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure
File:Ozjameswinetitlecard.jpg
Presented byOz Clarke
James May
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of episodes14 (at end of series two)
Production
ProducersNick Shearman
Simon Kerfoot
Running time30 minutes
Original release
NetworkBBC Two
Release2006 –
present

Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure is a BBC television programme of which, thus far, there have been two series. It is presented by wine expert Oz Clarke and motoring journalist James May (of Top Gear fame), the former taking it upon himself to educate the latter about wine.

First series

The first series focuses on French wine and was first broadcast in the autumn of 2006. It is accompanied by a book. (See below.) For several weeks, Clarke and May travel around France's wine regions in an 1989 Jaguar XJ-S convertible that has been modernized by Knowles-Wilkins Engineering[1]

Although at times it gets quite technical, the programme is light in tone, much of its entertainment value deriving from the personality clashes between the refined gourmet Clarke and May, whom the former at one point describes as "an utter scruff". (This is ironic given that on Top Gear May positions himself as the gentleman of the three presenters.)

May is a far from ideal student and often behaves rather rudely and grumpily, being more interested in drinking wine than in talking about it. When he thinks Oz starts rambling too much, May blows on a whistle, dubbed the "Ozillator" (a pun on oscillator).

At the beginning of their journey, May is someone who likes to drink wine, but knows next to nothing about it. Clarke teaches him the basics about smells and texture and about grape varieties, shows him how wine is made, what wine goes with what food and also focuses on the culture surrounding wine. The two visit wine makers of all kinds, from ones in small sheds to prestigious operations like Champagne Krug. Clarke quizzes May a few times, often with embarrassing results, but ultimately May does pick up certain things and scores some particular victories, such as impressing a native wine producer with his own blend, and choosing the right wine to go with an otherwise low-class and typically British camping dinner.

Original Air Dates:[2]

Repeats on commercial digital channels have split the extended-length (54 minute) episode 1 into two parts (each focussing on one region) for ease of scheduling, making a six-episode series suitable for broadcast in a set half-hour time slot.

Second series

This time, Clarke and May travel through California sampling new world wines, going from Venice Beach all the way north to the Napa Valley. The mode of transport this time was a Monaco motorhome and in some episodes, a Ford Mustang.

Highlights include Clarke tasting wines whilst swimming in a lake and whilst driving dodgem cars, May hitting various objects with the motorhome, and a recurring need for hangover cures. May's search for a good bottle of typically Californian wine available in the UK for under £10 ends with a bottle of Ravenswood Zinfandel in episode 5.

Original Air Dates:[3]

DVD release

  • The first and second series of Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure are now available on DVD in the UK.

Book

  • Clarke, Oz and James May. Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure. London: BBC, 2006. ISBN 978-0563539001

References

  1. ^ May, James (2006-12-08). "A postcard from France". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2007-02-07. To that end, I bought a 17-year-old Jaguar XJ-S V12 convertible, partly in the hope that it would do the decent old-Jag thing and leave me stranded in Kent, where I could just have a nice pint instead. Sadly, no. It has so far brought us all the way to Bordeaux. This is in part the fault of Knowles-Wilkins Engineering, purveyor of subtly refettled XJ-S and Series III Jaguars, which worked continuously on the car from the day I bought it to the evening of the day before I left. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ BBC - Food - TV and radio - Episode guide
  3. ^ BBC - BBC One Programmes - Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure - Episodes in 2007
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