France, 1944. When Private Maurice Blanc was captured at a checkpoint near Bordeaux, he had one advantage — he could talk. Specifically, he could talk endlessly about wine. The German officer at the checkpoint was from Baden. Loved French wine. Blanc — a former sommelier from Lyon — began a detailed, passionate discussion of Bordeaux vintages. Terroir. Fermentation. Glass shape. The officer was fascinated. Sent his men back to their posts. For three hours, two men discussed wine while Blanc’s entire unit — 40 men — crossed the river four kilometers away. When the last man was safely across, Blanc accepted the officer’s offered glass, finished it, pronounced it excellent, and requested to use the bathroom. He walked out a side window. The officer reportedly laughed when he realized. Then poured another glass.
