Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure: Difference between revisions
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| location = [[France]], [[California]] |
| location = [[France]], [[California]] |
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| network = [[BBC Two]] |
| network = [[BBC Two]] |
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| first_aired = 2006 |
| first_aired = {{start date|2006|11|26|df=y}} |
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| last_aired = 2007 |
| last_aired = {{end date|2007|12|18|df=y}} |
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| num_series = 2 |
| num_series = 2 |
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| num_episodes = 13 |
| num_episodes = 13 |
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'''''Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure''''' |
'''''Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure''''' was a [[BBC]] television programme of which two series have been broadcast. It was presented by [[wine]] expert [[Oz Clarke]] and motoring journalist [[James May]] (of ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]''), with Clarke aiming to educate May (a committed [[Bitter (beer)|bitter]] drinker) about wine while undertaking a [[road trip]]. The first season focused on [[French wine|France]] and the second on [[California wine|California]]. The sequel series ''[[Oz and James Drink to Britain]]'', broadcast in 2009, made the change to a focus on the variety of beverages available in the [[United Kingdom|UK]].<ref>BBC Press Office (April 24, 2008). [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/04_april/24/oz_james.shtml BBC Two announces Oz and James's next adventure]</ref> |
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==Concept== |
==Concept== |
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Although technical at times, the programme |
Although technical at times, the programme was light in tone, and much of its entertainment stems from the dynamic of personality clashes between the wine connoisseur, Clarke, and the more pragmatic May whom Clarke at one point described as "an utter [[scruff]]". (This was in contrast to May's position as "the [[gentleman]]" of the three presenters on ''Top Gear.'') |
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May acts the part of a difficult student and often |
May acts the part of a difficult student and often behaved rude and grumpily, more interested in drinking wine than in talking about it. When he determined that Clarke rambled on pompously, he blowed on a whistle, which he called the "Ozillator." At the start of the series, May declared he likes to drink wine, but knows little about it. Clarke teaches him the basics about smells and texture and about grape varieties, showing him how wine is made, what wine goes with what food and exposed May to the culture surrounding wine. They visited various types of winemakers, from those who make wine in small sheds to prestigious producers. Clarke frequently quizzed May, and May gave Clarke challenges. Ultimately, May does pick up some knowledge. |
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==First series== |
==First series== |
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The first series |
The first series focused on French wine and was first broadcast in the autumn of 2006. Over several weeks, Clarke and May travelled around France's wine regions in an 1989 [[Jaguar XJS|Jaguar XJ-S]] [[convertible]] that had been modernized by Knowles-Wilkins Engineering.<ref>{{Cite news| first = James, ''The Daily Telegraph'' |last = May |title = A postcard from France|url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml=/motoring/2006/08/12/mrmay12.xml |date = 2006-12-08| accessdate = 2007-02-07<!-- |quote = 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. -->}}</ref> |
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Repeats on commercial digital channels have split the extended-length (54 minute) first episode into two parts (each focusing on one region) for ease of scheduling, making a six-episode series suitable for broadcast in a set half-hour time slot. |
Repeats on commercial digital channels have split the extended-length (54 minute) first episode into two parts (each focusing on one region) for ease of scheduling, making a six-episode series suitable for broadcast in a set half-hour time slot. |
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==Second series== |
==Second series== |
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Clarke and May |
Clarke and May travelled through [[California]] sampling [[California wine|local wines]] and meet winemakers, travelling north from [[Venice, Los Angeles|Venice Beach]] to the [[Napa Valley AVA|Napa Valley]]. The chosen vehicle of this series was a [[Monaco Coach Corporation|Monaco]] [[recreational vehicle|motorhome]], and in some episodes, a [[Ford Mustang]]. |
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==Third series== |
==Third series== |
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{{Main|Oz and James Drink to Britain}} |
{{Main|Oz and James Drink to Britain}} |
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The following series, retitled ''Oz and James Drink to Britain'', aired on BBC Two on 6 January 2009. This series |
The following series, retitled ''Oz and James Drink to Britain'', aired on BBC Two on 6 January 2009. This series featured the duo driving around the [[United Kingdom]] in a 1982 [[Rolls-Royce (car)|Rolls-Royce]] Corniche, in an effort to discover the wide variety of drinks on offer to Britons. For this series, the beverages were no longer limited to wine, with the very first drink consumed a pint of [[Yorkshire]] [[Bitter (beer)|bitter]]. |
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==Tie-in products== |
==Tie-in products== |
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Revision as of 10:43, 10 January 2012
| Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Presented by | Oz Clarke James May |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Production | |
| Producers | Nick Shearman Simon Kerfoot |
| Production locations | France, California |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC Two |
| Release | 26 November 2006 – 18 December 2007 |
| Related | |
| Oz and James Drink to Britain Oz and Hugh Drink to Christmas Oz and Hugh Raise the Bar | |
Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure was a BBC television programme of which two series have been broadcast. It was presented by wine expert Oz Clarke and motoring journalist James May (of Top Gear), with Clarke aiming to educate May (a committed bitter drinker) about wine while undertaking a road trip. The first season focused on France and the second on California. The sequel series Oz and James Drink to Britain, broadcast in 2009, made the change to a focus on the variety of beverages available in the UK.[1]
Concept
Although technical at times, the programme was light in tone, and much of its entertainment stems from the dynamic of personality clashes between the wine connoisseur, Clarke, and the more pragmatic May whom Clarke at one point described as "an utter scruff". (This was in contrast to May's position as "the gentleman" of the three presenters on Top Gear.)
May acts the part of a difficult student and often behaved rude and grumpily, more interested in drinking wine than in talking about it. When he determined that Clarke rambled on pompously, he blowed on a whistle, which he called the "Ozillator." At the start of the series, May declared he likes to drink wine, but knows little about it. Clarke teaches him the basics about smells and texture and about grape varieties, showing him how wine is made, what wine goes with what food and exposed May to the culture surrounding wine. They visited various types of winemakers, from those who make wine in small sheds to prestigious producers. Clarke frequently quizzed May, and May gave Clarke challenges. Ultimately, May does pick up some knowledge.
First series
The first series focused on French wine and was first broadcast in the autumn of 2006. Over several weeks, Clarke and May travelled around France's wine regions in an 1989 Jaguar XJ-S convertible that had been modernized by Knowles-Wilkins Engineering.[2]
Repeats on commercial digital channels have split the extended-length (54 minute) first episode into two parts (each focusing on one region) for ease of scheduling, making a six-episode series suitable for broadcast in a set half-hour time slot.
In the United States, it was broadcast on BBC America as "James May's Road Trip" in 2011, running immediately after Top Gear.
| Episode | Subject | Airdate[3] |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bordeaux and Languedoc-Roussillon wine: basic winemaking. | 22 November 2006 |
| 2 | South West and Provence: wine and food matching. | 29 November 2006 |
| 3 | The Rhône Valley, Châteauneuf-du-Pape: wine blending. | 6 December 2006 |
| 4 | Alsace and Burgundy: terroir, barrel-making. | 13 December 2006 |
| 5 | Champagne. Champagne production | 20 December 2006 |
Second series
Clarke and May travelled through California sampling local wines and meet winemakers, travelling north from Venice Beach to the Napa Valley. The chosen vehicle of this series was a Monaco motorhome, and in some episodes, a Ford Mustang.
| Episode | Subject | Airdate[4] |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Barbara County: Pinot noir. | 16 October 2007 |
| 2 | Paso Robles AVA: terroir. | 23 October 2007 |
| 3 | Monterey AVA: Chardonnay. | 30 October 2007 |
| 4 | Santa Cruz Mountains AVA: artisan wineries, corporate wineries. | 20 November 2007 |
| 5 | San Francisco Bay AVA: Zinfandel. | 27 November 2007 |
| 6 | Napa Valley AVA: sparkling wine. | 4 December 2007 |
| 7 | Sonoma Valley AVA. | 11 December 2007 |
| 8 | Napa Valley AVA: cult wines. blends. | 18 December 2007 |
Third series
The following series, retitled Oz and James Drink to Britain, aired on BBC Two on 6 January 2009. This series featured the duo driving around the United Kingdom in a 1982 Rolls-Royce Corniche, in an effort to discover the wide variety of drinks on offer to Britons. For this series, the beverages were no longer limited to wine, with the very first drink consumed a pint of Yorkshire bitter.
Tie-in products
DVDs
- Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure: Complete BBC Series One (2006)
- Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure: Complete BBC Series Two - California (2007)
- Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure: Complete BBC Series One & Two Box Set (2008)
- Oz and James Drink to Britain: Complete Series Three (2009)
These titles are all distributed by Acorn Media UK.
Books
- Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure, Clarke, Oz; May, James (2006). London: BBC Books. ISBN 9780563539001
- Oz and James Drink to Britain, Clarke, Oz; May, James (2009). Pavilion Books. ISBN 9781862058460
References
- ^ BBC Press Office (April 24, 2008). BBC Two announces Oz and James's next adventure
- ^ May, James, The Daily Telegraph (2006-12-08). "A postcard from France". Retrieved 2007-02-07.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ BBC.co.uk Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure: Episode guide
- ^ BBC.co.uk Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure - Episodes in 2007