France Télévisions is taking over the series Les Gouttes de Dieu already known to Apple TV+ subscribers. The adaptation of a manga with the crazy love of wine as a backdrop…
We have seen attempts at it, in films or in series. But whether we call on stars like Pierre Arditi or we look for the most crafted scenario, rarely has a fiction about wine succeeded in really thrilling viewers. This is finally the case with Drops of God, a mini-series originally broadcast on the Apple TV+ platform and which France 2 had the good idea to rebroadcast on Mondays at 9:10 p.m. from the end of May. Drama series, but not only that, centered on the mysteries of oenology and the complexities of family relationships, The Drops of God has sufficiently convinced the subscribers to Apple TV+ so that a second season is already in the works.
The synopsis – Based on the famous Japanese manga of the same name, season 1 begins with the death of Alexandre Léger, a renowned oenologist who left behind an unrivaled wine collection and an enigmatic will. His daughter, Camille, played by Fleur Geffrier, must undergo a series of tests to claim her inheritance, which will challenge her aversion to alcohol, due to childhood trauma.
His opponent is none other than a young oenology prodigy in Japan, Tomine, played by Tomohisa Yamashita, considered by Léger as his spiritual son. The series evolves into a quest as technical as it is personal, through the vineyards of the world, seeking to reveal the origin of a legendary wine. All with a very keen sense of suspense and twists and turns.
An accessible and captivating series
The creator of the series, Quoc Dang Tran, known for his work on Marianne And Parallels, has repeatedly emphasized that his project was certainly part of the sometimes elitist world of wine, but wanted to captivate both novices and connoisseurs. “We are wine lovers, not professionals,” he insisted, ensuring that the series should speak to a wide audience, in the manner of police or medical series which display their jargon while entertaining.
The bet is rather successful. The main characters, Camille and Tomine, are complex reflections of their life experiences, each struggling against the shadows of their past and the expectations imposed by their lineage. It is their inner journeys as much as their oenological quest that give the series its interest. More than a series on wine, Drops of God is a captivating story about the innate (Camille), the acquired (Tomine), surpassing oneself, love, loss and the search for truth, served by careful production and writing that respects its subject and its characters.
Drops of God received mostly positive reviews for its rich and subtle treatment of themes of inheritance and parentage, although the series did not win any awards when shown at Series Mania in its time. Critics mostly praised the fascinating immersion into the world of wine and the captivating performances of its lead actors. Fleur Geffrier and Tomohisa Yamashita were particularly praised for their authentic and nuanced interpretation.
Some reviews, like that of Télérama, are less laudatory, comparing the series to a “small vintage” that is pleasant without being exceptional. However, the general consensus remains that Drops of God is a series that, like a good wine, can take time to fully appreciate.
While many French viewers who missed its appearance on Apple TV+ are preparing to discover the first season, production has already started work on a second. Camille and Tomine will be back to continue their exploration of exotic vineyards and the mysteries of wine, while facing their own demons. Oded Ruskin, the director of the first season, promises even more challenges and revelations for the duo. However, no date has yet been communicated for this season 2.