17 September 2024

The average TV viewer probably doesn't know as much about wine as the characters in the popular and well-crafted series Drops of God. But watching it will definitely make you want to uncork a good wine, breathe in its aroma, and have a taste, just like the main characters Issei Tomine (Tomohisa Yamashita) and Camille Léger (Fleur Geffier) do.  

Where to stay in Paris: Heritage, glamour and fine dining in the heart of City of Light

Inspired by classic Japanese manga 

Drops of God, originally titled Kami no Shizuku, has taken viewers by storm with stunning visuals, accomplished acting, and inspiring facts about wine. The series is basically a 2004 manga (Japanese comic) and follows protagonist Shizuku Kanzaki as he explores, samples, and discovers his own passion for the world of wine.  

In the series, we follow a woman who is told that her father has left her the world's largest wine collection in his will. The collection is worth a tremendous fortune. But in order to secure her inheritance, she must compete against a Japanese wine expert, a man whom her father has chosen for reasons that are unclear. Among other things, the mysterious competition involves blind tasting wine, and determining both its name and vintage quickly.

Stay in a italian vineyard with golf course: Vineyard meets the greens of a golf course

For wine experts?

"The show will be seen by three different categories of people. You have those who don't know much about wine but are fascinated by it, you have the people who love manga, and then you have the experts and oenologists," series creator Quoc Dang Tran told the Los Angeles Times.  

Drops of God is filmed in Italy, France, and Japan. If you want to stroll among the vines of the Chassangre family that were featured in the series, visit some of the vineyards, or experience the exciting restaurants, it is indeed possible.  

More and more people are now travelling to the destinations where their favourite series were shot, a phenomenon known as set-jetting. We have previously written about beautiful Sicily where the HBO Max series White Lotus was filmed and the hotels in New York featured in Succession and, not least, the beaches in Greece from Mamma Mia that you can visit in real life. 

But back to wine: If you want to drink wine like Camille Léger and Issei Tomine, head to France or Italy. 

Drops of God filming locations in France 

Much of the series was shot in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, one of the world's most famous wine regions in south-eastern France, in the southern Rhone Valley. The region is especially known for its production of powerful red wines that are a blend of many different grape varieties, including Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and more.

The Mediterranean climate is not only good for the ripening of the grapes but is also the perfect temperature for tourists seeking sun and warmth. Châteauneuf-du-Pape not only offers wine tastings and the chance to learn about the winemaking process, but the town itself is also a beautiful, picturesque village with a rich food culture.

Visitors can enjoy authentic Provencal dishes in local restaurants and cafes. With the Rhone Valley's scenic landscapes and green vines, it's no wonder much of the filming for Drops of God took place in this particular region.  

Visit the winery in real life

Apple TV+ tells Picolo that much of Drops of God was shot at the Chateau de Beaucastel. One sees beautiful scenes from the vineyard where Camille Léger grew up, and which the Chassangre family now runs.

The vineyard is especially known for the production of high quality red and white wines. It belongs to the Perrin family, and has a history stretching as far back as to the 1500s. Château de Beaucastel has a reputation for being one of the most respected and influential producers in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region.

Luxury restaurants in Paris 

The series was also partly shot in Paris at the recently renovated Hotel Lutetia. Historic and luxurious, the hotel is located on the corner of Boulevard Raspail. If you check in here, you have access to a spa, swimming pool, sauna, gym, and restaurant. Raspail himself wrote that if you're going to dine like a Parisian, three things are required: good food, phenomenal wine, and good conversation. It is claimed that all three are guaranteed at this 5-star hotel.  

In Paris, some scenes were also shot at the seafood restaurant Prunier. The Michelin Guide writes that it is worth visiting the restaurant just see its impressive interior, created by the most famous engravers and sculptors of the Art Deco period. The menu consists of seafood, shellfish, and Prunier caviar, but also some meat dishes. You can also sample the great classics here, such as Christian Dior eggs and oysters with almond milk and dill. In addition, it has a rich wine list ... 

Drops of God in Italy 

When the characters in the series head to Italy in a bid to secure the gigantic inheritance, they head to Milan and Trento. In test two, rivals Camille and Isse must identify a wine from a famous painting by Italian Renaissance painter Fede Galizia – a glass platter with peaches, quinces, and jasmine. Milan is a great place to visit to see art, fashion, and impressive architecture, and to eat well.

This also applies to Trento, a city in northern Italy surrounded by the Alps and lush vineyards. The city is known for its historic architecture, picturesque location, and rich culture. Did we forget the beautiful roads? If you've seen the series, this is where Camille and Lorenzo drive in a fancy sports car to look for clues .

No matter where you walk in the footsteps of Drops of God, you will experience green and impressive scenery, and very good wine.  

And who won the inheritance? We're not going to spoil that for those of you who want to binge the series.

But for now: cheers and happy set-jetting!