Champagne Problems (2025)

[bunniefuu]

Let's talk about champagne.

Champagne isn't just a drink,

it's a celebration.

The night they invented champagne

Champagne rings in the new year

and makes toasts at every wedding.

Champagne means

it's time to party.

That all we'd want to do is

Fly to the sky on champagne

Even the sound of a cork popping

is enough to get people excited.

See what I mean?

So, what is it about a sparkling wine

from a tiny region in France

that makes it so special?

Legend has it that it all began

in the 17th century

with a Franciscan monk named Dom Prignon.

It was Dom Prignon's task

to make wine for his monastery,

but one day, he thought

he'd try something different.

He put yeast and sugar

into his wine to ferment,

and to Dom's amazement,

the yeast ate the sugar

and converted into

Bubbles!

The monk took one sip

of this sparkling elixir and said

Come quickly!

I am tasting the stars!

You see,

champagne has always had

a bit of magic to it.

And now TRG has a chance

to become a part of that storied tradition

by acquiring one of the most

celebrated domains in France,

Chteau Cassell.

And with over 200 brands to our name,

it's time we finally ventured

into the champagne market.

And soon, who knows?

We could all be tasting the stars.

Very good, Sydney.

You've clearly thought

this acquisition through.

Thank you, Marvin.

And that's why I'm sending you to Paris

to make your presentation directly

to Hugo Cassell.

What?

Uh Marvin?

I've handled M&A for France and the UK

for the past three years.

Oh, and what a fine job you've done, Ryan.

But we've been chasing Chteau Cassell

for years now with no luck.

But something tells me

our luck is about to change.

What do you say, Sydney? Think you can

get this wrapped up by Friday?

I'll pack my bags.

-Tasting the stars?

-Too much?

Not for Marvin, evidently.

I can't believe he's letting me

take on an acquisition.

I mean, usually, I do all the legwork,

then he passes it off to some moron.

-No offense.

-Some taken.

I championed Uptown Elle when

nobody thought it could be profitable.

Stillwater Vodka's

one of TRG's top earners.

Even when I'm batting a thousand,

Marvin keeps on moving the goalposts.

-Those sports don't go together.

-Not this time.

This is my chance to prove to Marvin

and everyone at TRG

that I'm ready to take charge.

Well, if I'm gonna lose out

on an acquisition,

I'm just glad it's to you.

Nice try.

It was a nice try, wasn't it?

Come on.

- Look, I'm just trying to help.

- Yeah, right.

What about baking cookies

and watching Die Hard together?

- It's tradition.

- I'll be back by Christmas Eve.

Okay, okay.

So, what are you gonna do first?

I'm going to work, Sky.

You should start at the Eiffel Tower.

It's a total clich, I know,

but when you see it in person,

it's like an out-of-body experience.

I don't have time for sightseeing, Sky.

This is a huge opportunity for me.

You sound like Mom.

What's wrong with that?

You know what I mean.

No, I don't.

Mom had a dream

of owning her own company one day,

and she would have if she just had

some investors who believed in her.

Remember how

she used to talk about Venice?

How she would drink Bellinis at Carnival?

Yeah.

And then it was too late.

And you and I

pinky promised each other

that when we grew up, we'd see the world.

Well, I held up my end.

I backpacked across Europe twice.

I walked the Great Wall of China.

I hiked the pyramids of Machu Picchu.

You have $18 in the bank.

Hey, that's not the point.

The point is that

you are long overdue for an adventure.

Even if it's just for one night.

So, promise me, sis

Promise me that you will take one night

off from work while you're there.

One night to just

be Sydney again.

Okay. I promise.

Pinky promise.

- Damn it.

- Pinky promise.

You are so annoying.

I love you too.

Hi, Marvin.

Uh, my flight was delayed,

but I'm on my way to the hotel now.

I made a few tweaks to my proposal.

I prepared three separate pitches,

depending on how much time

Cassell gives me in the room.

Good. It seems

we're not the only game in town.

There'll be competition

for Chteau Cassell

and for Cassell's attention.

Uh, Otto Moller from Weingut,

Brigitte Laurent from Terrebonne,

and there's a Roberto Salazar from Ibiza.

He's a bit of a wild card.

But don't worry. I'm on it.

I knew I was right

sending you to Paris.

- I won't let you down.

- Oh, I know you won't.

Bonsoir, mademoiselle.

Hi. Sydney Price checking in.

Staying for only two nights?

-Yes.

-What a shame.

Christmas in Paris

is such a wonderful time of year.

Maybe next time you'll get to stay longer.

Mm-hmm.

Merci beaucoup.

Bonsoir, mademoiselle.

Hi. Can you tell me

if there's a bookstore nearby?

-Of course.

-One with an English language section?

I wanna buy a gift for my sister.

Okay.

Voil.

Uh, Les toiles?

I think they will have

what you're searching for.

-Do you need a map?

-Nope.

I've got the whole route

planned right in here.

Ah, I see you've come prepared.

Always.

h*, h*, h*!

h*, h*, h*!

Damn it.

h*, h*, h*!

Yes, just a cappuccino, please.

Excuse me.

Uh

Parlez-vous anglais?

Oui.

I mean, yes.

Oh.

Uh, can you help me find the,

um, self-help section?

Self-help?

Self-development?

Self-development. Um Oh, oui.

Um, dveloppement personnel.

Yeah. Can you help me find that, please?

Uh, oui.

Uh, follow me.

Excuse me.

What does this say?

Um, "I accept the great adventure

of being me."

Simone de Beauvoir.

It's so beautiful.

Very beautiful.

Voil.

- Oh, yes, of course. Thank you.

- Yeah.

-You're welcome.

-Let's see what we have here. Um

The Ultimate Guide to Self-sabotage.

That's good.

No.

Get Out of Bed and Get Out of Debt.

That's kind of mean, but kind of true.

Oh. Growing Up at Any Age. Wow.

That's just perfect.

Wow.

Oh, you think these are for me?

No, no, no, no, no. These aren't for me.

-These are for my little sister.

-Okay.

Yeah, she's been going through

a little bit of a rough patch lately.

- Oh.

- Actually, it's a big patch.

- Hm.

- Huge, really.

Don't get me wrong. I love my sister.

And, you know,

if I'm actually completely honest,

I'm probably partly to blame

because I've been taking care of her

ever since she was really little, and

Wow, I'm rambling.

Sorry.

- No, no.

- Whew!

Jet lag.

But you're probably used to that

working here.

I don't work here.

What?

I don't work here.

But I saw you helping that woman

find a book downstairs.

Yeah, um, Les toiles is

my favorite bookstore in Paris.

I spend a lot of time here.

Clearly.

Soon, I'll open a bookstore

of my own just like it.

Except mine will have

a wine bar in the back.

-I'm just looking for the right location.

-A wine bookstore.

Yep.

I'd never leave.

Henri.

Sydney.

Enchant.

- Enchante.

- Um

Um

First time in Les toiles?

-It's my first time in Paris.

-No way.

Yeah, and I only have one night

to see the sights, so I um

I better get going.

In one night?

C'est impossible.

No, I know. That's why I've got

a whole list of things I need to see,

along with the times allocated

for each stop.

Next is the Eiffel Tower.

Why?

Why?

- Why?

- Because it's the Eiffel Tower.

And I wanna see the view from the top.

I know a better view,

and we'll have it all to ourselves.

We?

Well, I'd I'd have to take you there.

You'll never find it on your own.

Well, that is very sweet,

but I have a reservation

at Caf de Flore that I can't miss.

Caf de Flore?

Nope.

There is more authentic Parisian food

in the Christmas markets,

and for just a few euros.

Where are they?

-Not far.

-Let me guess. You can take me there.

If you insist. Yeah, why not?

I mean, you need a guide

to show you the city

and to keep you safe

from des personnes bizarres.

Des personnes bizarres?

Is that, like, strangers

who pretend to work in bookstores

and hit on helpless tourists?

You think I'm flirting with you?

Aren't you?

Absolutely.

It was nice

to meet you, Henri.

Good luck with your wine bookstore.

Wait.

I know this sounds crazy.

And I know you don't understand

a word that I'm saying.

But I just want to spend time with you.

I want to get to know you.

And if you accept my invitation

I promise to show you why this is

the most magnificent city in the world.

Okay, let's say

I do go with you.

What exactly are you gonna show me?

Christmas in Paris.

You can't leave Paris

without trying a crpe.

Merci.

For you.

Mmm.

Mmm.

-Ooh. You have to try macaron. Just one.

-No, no, no, no. This is enough.

Voil.

Mmm.

It's tradition. Hot wine.

Only one because I have a meeting

in the morning.

Mm.

So, what do you do?

Can't really talk about it.

Why? Are you a spy or something?

Are you?

-No.

-Ah.

It's just that I promised my sister

I wouldn't talk about work for one night.

And ever since we were kids,

if we pinky promised,

we have to keep our word.

Mais qu'est-ce que c'est, "pinky promise?"

Oh, it's, um

-Now you.

-Okay.

That's a pinky promise.

Wow.

You promised me a view better than that?

Whoa, it's stunning!

I haven't been on a Ferris wheel

since I was a little girl.

My mother used to take me here

every Christmas.

It was our tradition.

Just the two of us.

-Is she

-Yeah.

She died when I was six.

I'm sorry.

My mom died when I was 15.

It was just me and my sister after that.

What about your father?

He took off right after Skyler was born.

I don't remember much about him.

What about you?

Oof. I wish my father would take off.

Wow.

-Hm. That bad, huh?

-Ugh.

My father is a

What's that?

Um

A hole in the a*s?

No? What?

No, I I like the way you say it.

He wants me to take over

the family business.

But I just want to chase my own dream.

So we argue all the time.

"There is a sweetness

in the laughter of the stars."

That's beautiful.

It's from my favorite book

when I was a boy.

Le Petit Prince.

Why was it your favorite?

Long story.

Well, looks like we have time.

Okay.

My mother gave me that book

when I was five.

She would read it to me every night

before I went to bed.

But then she got ill,

and soon I was all alone,

just like le petit prince.

Mm.

But I still had the book

and I could smell her perfume

on the pages.

I carried it with me wherever I went.

So much that my father

threatened to throw it in the trash.

So I hid it from him

and I hid it so many times

and in so many places

that one day I forgot where I put it.

But whenever I look up at the stars,

I think of her.

And if I close my eyes

I can still smell her perfume.

So

yeah.

That's why it's my favorite.

I think it just became my favorite too.

You were only married for two years?

I can't believe

I'm telling you this.

This is not like me.

Must be the hot wine talking.

Mmm.

What is that?

The wine enters

and the reason leaves.

-French have great sayings.

-Yeah. Stop avoiding the question.

Okay.

-He cheated on me.

-Ah.

I was devastated.

And I joke about it now.

Seems like I'm over it, but I'm not.

Why would you pretend

everything is okay?

I guess

I'm still trying to prove myself.

To my boss

and to my ex.

And to my father, who I don't even know.

I act like I'm fearless,

but on the inside, I feel like a fraud.

Like I'm not good enough.

You know what I mean?

Oh, oui.

I'm still trying to prove myself

to my father

that I can be successful on my own.

He thinks I'm going to fail.

You won't. I believe in you.

And if you need any help

with that wine bookstore, let me know

'cause, uh, saving small business

is kind of my thing.

Careful.

Your pinky promise.

Right.

Skyler was right. I needed this.

This is the best time I've had in forever.

Me too.

Sometimes, you can live a whole life

in just one day.

I had a great life today.

Me too.

No!

Sydney?

Marcel.

-Mademoiselle.

-Help.

I'm late for my meeting, and I need a taxi

to take me to this address.

Oh, a cab will take 30 minutes now.

There's construction on the Rue de Rivoli.

-Everything is backed up.

-What do I do?

You can walk this way,

through the Trocadro Gardens,

and that will get you there in 20 minutes.

Isn't there a faster way?

Oui.

-Run.

-Ugh.

Ugh.

Okay.

Bonjour. Sydney Price.

I'm here for my 12 o'clock.

-You're late.

-I know.

I am so sorry.

Follow me.

Good luck.

Merci.

Oh, thank you. Okay.

Thank you so much.

Merci beaucoup.

Hello.

Um, I'm Sydney Price.

Hi, Sydney. I'm Roberto.

Nice to meet you, Roberto.

And this is Otto Moller from Weingut

and Brigitte Laurent from Terrebonne.

Oh. I was so impressed

with your acquisition

of Chteau Drummond last year.

-The way you turned that business around--

-Let's cut the crap, shall we?

Okay.

I've known Hugo Cassell

for over 30 years.

And although we may argue

on almost everything,

there is one thing we agree on.

Champagne should stay in France.

Chteau Cassell

needs to be run more efficiently.

-Nobody is as efficient as the Germans.

-Oh.

Cassell will see that the answer

to his problems lies not in patriotism

but in genauigkeit und Przision.

I have no idea what you just said,

but it sounded terrifying.

I'm so sorry. I'm a little bit confused.

Why are we all meeting together?

Hugo thrives on competition.

You won't just be pitching to him.

You will be pitching to us too.

Great.

Bonjour. Brigitte.

Gentlemen. Miss Price.

So

who wants to start?

I'll go.

Monsieur Cassell,

let me be perfectly honest with you.

-I've never worked a day in my life.

-Hm.

My father is worth $30 billion

because he invented a microchip thingy

that goes into a what-now.

I don't get it.

But what I do know

is that every time I throw a party,

I break out the Chteau Cassell Grand Cru.

And I throw a lot of parties.

I came here today

because I love your champagne.

And I'm concerned

that if somebody buys your company,

the quality will suffer,

and so will my parties.

You want to buy Chteau Cassell to

keep the party going?

Chteau Cassell

turns my troubles into bubbles.

Sit down.

Yes, sir.

Mademoiselle Price.

I don't see how

you could possibly top that,

but

for the love of God, please try.

Two years ago, Chteau Cassel

sold six million bottles of Grand Cru.

Last year, it sold four million.

Your production dropped dramatically,

mostly due to the poor harvest,

but that didn't stop the demand.

Your champagne is wonderful,

but your production arm is antiquated.

With the backing of The Roth Group--

Excusez-moi.

Bonjour

-Sydney?

-Henri?

- What are you doing here?

- What are you doing here?

Henri is the vice president

of Chteau Cassell

and my son.

He's your son?

You know each other?

Uh

Um We met last night.

We met at Les toiles.

Of course you did.

Henri spends more time in that bookstore

than he does at the office.

The Roth Group.

Yes, I was just about to tell

Monsieur Cassell about my company.

-I know all about Marvin Roth.

-You do?

He raids small businesses

and breaks them into little pieces

to sell off to the highest bidder.

-What are you talking about?

-I'm talking about Chteau Laberge.

Ryan Garner from The Roth Group

acquired its famed Bordeaux

and then forced Pierre Laberge

out of his own company.

I don't know anything about that.

Then maybe you should do some research

before you come to steal

another French vineyard.

Henri. That's enough.

Forgive us.

Henri means well,

but he has his father's temper.

It was always my hope that he would

take over Chteau Cassell one day.

For centuries, les Cassell have passed

down this domain from father to son.

But that all stops now with Henri.

C'est la vie.

TRG can guarantee that you'll stay on

as president even after the sale.

Those are just words.

I can put it in writing.

Like you did with Chteau Laberge?

I came here today to hear your proposals

for Chteau Cassell.

I was prepared

to make a decision right here, but

that was a mistake.

I don't want you to tell me why

you are the right buyer for my vineyard.

I want you to show me.

You will be my guests

at Chteau Cassell for the weekend.

By Monday, I will make my decision.

My assistant Claudine

will prepare your travel plans.

He's the owner's son?

I mean, what are the chances?

In my world, excellent.

Still, you gotta admit, there's some sort

of crazy serendipity going on.

It's like it was fate.

There is no fate but what we make.

- You're quoting Terminator 2 again.

- God, I'm anxious.

I always quote Terminator 2

when I'm anxious.

You're getting stronger!

You're a Kelly Clarkson song!

Wait, what?

Where are you?

SoulCycle. Which reminds me,

can you Venmo me $500 when you get a sec?

I'll pay you back

when my influencer money rolls in.

Who have you ever influenced?

I'm not even sure I'm gonna have a job

next week thanks to you.

How is this my fault?

You're the one who told me to take

the day off and not talk about work.

I said take a night off.

I didn't say sleep with the owner's son.

This is a disaster.

Okay, so things are a bit messy.

But don't you see how perfect this is?

It's like the universe is forcing you

to find a balance between work and love.

And you can do it, Syd.

You're a

You're a Kelly Clarkson song!

I love you.

I love you more.

-Gotta go.

-Bye.

This is first class, right?

Just can't tell the difference.

- Yay, Sydney's here!

- Hi.

-Let's get this party started.

-It's 9 a.m.

-I know, right?

-Excuse

Mein Freund, have you never read

what alcohol does to the body?

I have, and that is why I gave up reading.

My body is a temple.

Hm. Mine's more of a bouncy castle.

Hello, ladies and gentlemen.

May I offer you wine, cheese, or coffee?

Cheese!

Oui.

Care to join me, Sydney?

Oh, I'm lactose intolerant.

Lactose intolerant? In France?

Oh, you're lucky. The only thing

I'm intolerant to is exercise.

I'm in the fitness relocation program.

Yeah, I look at my clothes and I go,

"I can't fit in this, I can't fit in this,

I can't fit in this."

You haven't touched your mimosa.

- Just take it.

- Yes!

Hello, ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome to Chteau Cassell.

The Cassell family

has lived here

ever since the chteau was built in 1682.

I'll just help myself to this.

Mmm.

So is this like an honor system?

Just so parched.

It's cozy in here.

Too cozy.

This is Bulles.

- Hi.

- Hey, he likes you.

Yeah. Hi, buddy.

Philippe, where's Hugo?

Monsieur Cassell

is running late, I'm afraid.

Important business.

He sends his apologies

and will join you all for dinner tonight.

Maintenant, I'll show you your rooms.

Why are you bringing up

Chteau Laberge? That was years ago.

Uh, maybe

because there's a little animosity

with how he was treated by Ryan.

The company was overvalued

when we acquired it.

We did what we had to do to turn a profit.

Marvin.

If I worry about every company that

felt like they were screwed on a deal,

I'd be out of business.

Bu-- What's gotten into you, Sydney?

You haven't been the same

since you got to Paris.

- You're a nice person, Sydney.

- Thank you.

That's not a compliment!

You gotta show me you can be ruthless.

I can. I I can be ruthless.

- You gotta be strong.

- I am.

-I'm a Kelly Clarkson song.

-What?

I don't know. Sorry.

You wanted this opportunity.

Don't make me regret it.

You won't. I promise.

Marvin?

Pack your bag.

Already packed.

Hello.

Anyone?

Hello, Bubbles!

Oh!

Bonjour, Henri.

Bonjour, Philippe.

I didn't hear you pull up.

It's because I got a new electric Peugeot.

You should give it a spin this weekend.

-Ah!

-It's fast.

Ooh, I like fast.

Yes, I know.

Your guests have arrived.

I was just showing them to their rooms.

Bon.

Where is the Grinch?

Out in the barn.

Still trying to turn

a lemon into lemonade.

I'll be right back.

Merde. Merde.

Merde. Merde. Merde!

Ready to admit defeat?

Ha! Never!

You'll see. It will be the pride

of the pernay auto show.

Oui.

You say that every year, and it dies

before it even leaves the barn.

Not this year.

The Citron will ride again.

I guarantee it!

Bon alors

How was the drive?

Easy. I entered the address,

and the car chose the best route.

Where's the fun in that?

- It's called progress.

- Ah?

Maybe you've heard of it?

Ha!

Is everyone here?

Yes, apparently.

And what's this all about?

You never host on the holidays.

How would you know?

You haven't been home

for three Christmases.

You wouldn't be home now

if not for the merger.

And Sydney Price.

What does that mean?

Nothing, nothing.

-I saw the way you looked at her.

-Oh?

Passion looks good on you.

Do you really want to end up

like Chteau Laberge?

That was a young Bordeaux

on the wrong side of the Garonne.

This is a legacy champagne

with centuries of history to its name!

Legacy means nothing to them!

Who are you to talk about legacy, huh,

when you refuse to carry on mine?

- This isn't about me!

- Well, it should be!

Merde!

Best day ever.

You know, ever since I was a little boy,

I only ever wanted

three things for Christmas.

A monkey butler, a robot butler,

and friends like the friends in Friends.

I am surrounded by imbeciles.

That is beautiful, Brigitte.

What was Christmas like for you, Otto?

Oh, a typical German Christmas.

We covered ourselves in ashes,

crouching in the shadows,

eating marzipan and knackwurst

while hiding from Krampus.

Who's Krampus?

Oh, Krampus is a half-goat, half-demon

who punishes evil children

at Christmastime.

-That sounds terrifying.

-Mm.

Not as terrifying as his wife,

Frau Perchta.

She replaces the intestines

of rude children with garbage.

Some call her the mother of recycling.

Like most Germans, I learned that Krampus

wasn't real in my mid-twenties.

It was a dark day, I can tell you.

But I still love Christmas.

It's the one time I can sit by a dead tree

eating candy out of my shoes

without feeling judged.

Bonsoir.

Bonsoir.

And so it begins.

Good evening, everyone.

I hope you are all settled in

and that your rooms are to your liking.

They're beautiful, thank you.

Brigitte.

Chre Brigitte.

We've known each other for what,

30 years now?

- Thirty-two.

- Ooh.

-Thirty-two. A lifetime.

-Mm-hmm.

I always know when you've got

something on your mind. Please.

We have dedicated our lives

to this business,

unlike Americans

who can't tell the difference

between champagne and sparkling wine.

Hugo, my father worked

in the vineyards, just like yours.

You agree with me that

Chteau Cassell must remain in France

because that's where champagne belongs.

In French hands like ours.

Sorry, I missed most of that.

My French is limited.

Of course.

But I do know this

"Who doesn't advance,

goes backwards."

Yes. Very good, Sydney.

That's the spirit.

Look, in 2017 you had a warm spring

that prompted early budburst.

A severe frost in late April

caused 40% of the crop to die.

You should have had reserves

from the 2015 and 2016 harvest,

but you didn't have

the backup storage facilities

to take advantage of those banner years.

Terrebonne suffered the same fate.

And it'll happen again

if you stay stuck in the ways of the past.

The Terrebonne brand

will anchor Chteau Cassell

to one of the greatest domains

in the world.

Mr. Cassell is drowning in debt,

and you're offering him an anchor?

Mm!

- As requested, monsieur.

- Ah.

This is the first test of the weekend.

We are going to see how well you know

Chteau Cassell Grand Cru.

-I want you to close your eyes.

-But the label's already been masked.

There are variations in color

in each vintage of champagne.

I don't want you to see it with your eyes.

I want you to see it with your nose,

your tongue, even your ears.

Please, close your eyes.

Before you now is a glass

of Chteau Cassell Grand Cru.

Pick up your glass

and raise it to your nose.

Breathe in.

Tell me what you see.

Honeydew melon, yellow apple.

Mm. Sydney, what about you?

Um, grapefruit and, um

ginger.

Excellent.

Otto?

I smell nothing.

I damaged my olfactory nerves in 2016

playing a violent game

of eisstockschieen.

Ah.

Roberto?

The Mediterranean. Saint-Tropez.

Surprising. Tell me more.

It was the summer of 2012,

and I was living on my father's yacht.

I met an agoraphobic sailor named Gunther

who never left the harbor.

We had a torrid romance.

Although I begged him to stay,

I knew that one day he'd have to confront

his fear of the open water.

And that was when Gunther

set sail for Patagonia.

There, his ship crashed

onto the rocks of Cape Horn,

and he sank to the bottom of the ocean.

Roberto, I'm sorry.

Or he ghosted me.

It's so hard to tell.

Either way, I never saw Gunther again.

Anyhoo, that's what

this champagne says to me. Oh.

And it's a 1987 Chteau Cassell Grand Brut

Blanc de Noir Millsime Special Edition.

Holy sh*t! How do you know that?

This is what I do.

I drink champagne,

I throw parties, and I know things.

Well done.

What is this?

I wasn't sure what to serve

on your arrival,

but Brigitte had a wonderful idea.

With over a thousand varieties

in France alone,

cheese is more than food.

It's part of our culture, our history.

To get to know France,

it's to get to know and love cheese.

Everything okay, Sydney?

Yes, of course.

Philippe, be sure to give her

the Camembert first, then the Brie.

A nice chunk of Roquefort

pairs so well with the Sancerre.

Uh, followed by a wedge of Reblochon.

Don't skip on the Munster.

And lastly, finish with le Pont-l'vque.

Vive la France!

Vive la France!

What do you want?

My father asked me to check on you.

I think he's a little worried

with how quickly you left dinner.

I'm fine. I'm just a little

-Did you

-No.

It's okay.

I'm lactose intolerant.

Lactose intolerant?

-Ugh. Cheese hates me.

-No.

-Oui.

-Aww.

That is the saddest thing I ever heard.

In fact, we have a saying.

"Sad as a meal without cheese."

That's me.

-One sad meal.

-Why didn't you say something?

After all that "France is cheese" stuff?

No chance.

And I wasn't gonna let Brigitte

think she got to me.

She's ruthless.

I think I just need to lay low tonight.

I'm afraid that's impossible.

Why? What are we gonna do now?

O-M-G.

- Henri?

- Come on.

Why don't you

and Sydney take the lead?

I'm terrified of horses.

Don't worry.

It's just like a big dog.

- I'm terrified of dogs.

- How are you with cats?

Roberto, please have a seat.

-You okay?

-Mm-hmm.

Let's go to

the Festival of Light!

This is the best day ever.

I had a feeling

that you would approve, Roberto.

Whoa! Yeah!

Everybody,

Christmas tree selfie!

O-M-G.

-I have to text you this.

-Nein. Photos are a waste of storage.

-Come on! You look adorable.

-Nein. Do not text me any photos, please.

Okay, I won't.

AirDropped.

Who is that?

Le Pre Nol.

- France's Santa Claus.

- More like Zaddy Claus.

I'll check you guys later.

I'm gonna try to get on the naughty list.

Brigitte, come with me.

-I think I'll go-- Thank you.

-Oh yes. Please, of course.

There's always

next year for you.

Yes, there's always next year,

Brigitte.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

I have something for you.

This.

-Macarons?

-Yep.

The best in Champagne.

So I'm supposed to forgive you

for acting like a jerk

in exchange for a box of macarons?

- Okay, I'll take it back.

- No, I was just clarifying the terms.

Oh, okay.

I'm sorry.

My father makes me crazy, and

And I guess I have a lot of guilt

over not taking over Chteau Cassell.

I'm sorry too.

When I found out you weren't

who I thought you were, I got scared.

Me and trust aren't exactly

on speaking terms these days.

You can trust me.

Yeah!

To feel it all and let it ring out

And so how do I get out? Is it out

Oh, I've been hoping

Yeah, oh, oh, oh

And I've been dreaming

Yeah, oh, oh, oh

I've got a feeling

Yeah, oh, oh, oh

Right here and

If you feel it in your soul

Let it out and let it glow

Let it, let it, let it ring

Just text him.

No, it's, like, the busiest time

of the year for him, isn't it?

- So what?

- I shouldn't text him.

I'll just play hard to get.

- Hm.

- I'm exhausted.

Good night to you all.

You should all get

a good night's sleep.

Tomorrow is a big day.

- Good night, Brigitte.

- Good night.

Well, you heard him.

We should all get some sleep.

And you can't get some sleep

without a nightcap.

-Why not?

-How are you still standing?

Right?

Part of me says I shouldn't drink so much,

then the other part of me says,

"Don't listen to him. He's drunk."

-Come on, Otto.

-Oh, yeah, okay.

- Thank you for peer-pressuring me.

- Oh, no problem. It's what I do.

Am I enabling you

by just standing here and watching you?

Um Would you like to join them?

I'd love to, but I think

I should prepare for tomorrow.

Yeah.

Yeah, you're right. It will be a long day.

Good night.

Good night, Sydney.

Come in.

Hi, Sydney.

- I can't sleep.

- Oof, tell me about it.

Turns out Pre Nol has an OnlyFans page.

Okay, what's on your mind?

Henri.

Honey, you fell in love in Paris,

the most romantic city in the world.

And then a cruel twist of fate

turned you into star-crossed lovers.

It's Moulin Rouge

without the tuberculosis.

You'd be crazy

not to be feeling crazy right now.

Thanks.

I wanna be more like you.

I wanna be fearless in love.

- You think I'm fearless?

- Mm-hmm.

I stumble all the time.

You do?

I've just learned to make it

part of the dance.

You know, love is like a test

that you didn't study for.

All you can do is wing it

and hope for the best.

Hope you get graded on a curve.

- Let me see it.

- Yeah?

-Yeah.

-You sure?

-Uh-huh.

-Okay.

- Oh.

- Uh-huh.

- Gosh.

- Yeah.

Wow. Oh.

Is this a real person?

Hey, hey, hey, hey.

What's going on? Hmm?

What's going on? Hey, buddy. Hi.

Hi.

Hi.

I was just--

- Yeah, me too.

- Okay.

Shh!

- Okay. Yeah.

- Okay.

Merde!

Hi! Hi, hi!

Good morning, Champagne!

Time to get up!

We have a full day ahead of us!

Come on, everybody, wake up!

Come on, Roberto!

-Is this work?

-Yes, Roberto, this is work.

Ah, Sydney! Otto!

- Ow!

- Quite ready.

How are you ready?

You know how they say

-Sorry?

-The early bird catches a worm.

And I've got worms for days.

Yeah, sorry about that.

You too, Brigitte.

Also you, Henri.

Come on, everybody!

So most of the people think that

vineyards go quiet in the winter.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, we are even busier in the winter

than we are in the spring.

And it starts here, with the pruning.

Do it wrong, and rot and insects

will find a way into the vines.

Do it correctly,

and they will flourish for decades.

Let's get to work

and see who has what it takes.

Yeah, okay.

Each of you take a row and your tool.

Ah! I'm sorry.

This is allowed? I'm allowed to do this?

- Yes, you are.

- Wow.

- Here, you cut the same twice. Like this.

- Okay.

-Come on, Roberto.

-I think I'm done.

-No, no, no. A bit more.

-I feel like I'm freeing the vines.

At first they were afraid,

they were petrified,

and now I'm circumcising them.

You have to do all of that.

-I'm sorry?

-Yeah.

Here and here. One, two.

- Okay.

- Yeah, it's good.

I could use a champagne break

right about now.

Ooh, this is more like it.

These aren't fit to drink,

Roberto, not yet.

First, we have to remove the sediment

that has gathered in the bottles.

To do this, the bottles are rotated

one-quarter turn

throughout the winter month.

It's called riddling.

You take the first bottle,

the fourth bottle, and you turn.

Next row, next row.

And make no mistake. This is a race.

A race against time,

and for you, a race against each other.

-Yeah.

-Oh, what's that mean?

Oh, it's all about the sausage now.

Okay, that clears up nothing.

-Uh, Otto.

-Yes.

Roberto. Sydney.

- Henri, are you ready?

- Mm-hmm.

Okay, mine are dusty.

Brigitte, do you remember this?

Can we get some gloves, or

What do you think?

Ready set go!

- Was that ready, set, go?

- Yes!

You better get started.

- I'm just giving you a head start.

- Like I need it.

Oh yeah?

I need it.

- Winner!

- Winner!

-Winner!

-Winner!

-I was first. I'm pretty sure.

-I don't think so.

- Let's see the replay.

- Run the tape.

Yes. One hand is on one, and then on four,

and then just a tiny swiveling.

- Winner!

- Uh

Um

What do we have going on here?

Oh, we're having a Christmas tree

decorating contest.

Very bizarre.

Thank you. I'm going for

a Chuck E. Cheese on psilocybin feel.

And what are you going for, Otto?

- Malaise.

- Oh.

Right.

Anyone have any holiday plans?

Yeah, I'll be throwing

my annual holiday party,

followed by my New Year's Eve bash,

and then it's my Se7en-theme

secret Santa party

called "What's in the Box-ing Day?"

I will be watching Stirb Langsam

with my family, or Die Slowly.

I believe you call it Die Hard.

You watch Die Hard on Christmas too?

Yes, but in Germany,

it's considered a tragedy.

Poor Hans Gruber.

Deeply misunderstood.

I'm pretty sure Hans Gruber

was a t*rror1st.

Hm. To us, Hans Gruber

was more like Robin Hood,

stealing from the greedy

corporate overlords.

It was the Nakatomi Corporation

who put its employees' lives at risk

over what was mere pocket change to them.

Uh, Robin Hood gave to the poor.

We don't know what Hans had planned

with all that money.

Perhaps he's going

to open up some schools.

A-and what about John McClane?

Oh, excuse me, that trigger-happy cowboy?

John McClane was the cause

of all that chaos

with his "yippee-ki-yay, mother-fathers."

Mm, mm, mm.

Hans Gruber was a gentleman thief.

He blew up Nakatomi Plaza!

Okay, well, nobody's perfect.

- Okay.

- Otto!

Oh, yes.

Uh, it's time for my presentation.

Yes. Okay.

May I present

the greatest network distribution

the world has ever seen.

Oh, look how rapid your bottles

move through the economy

as if gravity, i.e., tariffs, don't exist.

Oh no, it's Krampus.

He's come to ruin Christmas

and stop the distribution

of Chteau Cassell across Europe.

With goat horns on his head

Not this year, Krampus.

Weingut will stop you.

No!

Weingut Imports, protecting Christmas

from Krampus into the future.

Krampus, Krampus, Krampus.

Wow, that was

And so that

that completes, uh, my presentation.

And may I invite you to view it again?

Uh, no. No, I don't think so.

I've also prepared a director's cut.

It is 68% longer and has

much more information for your brain.

First, you make sure that the champagne

is as cold as possible,

and then you angle the bottle

at 30 to 45 degrees

and look for the seam of bubbles,

and that is where you saber the bottle.

Excuse me, Roberto, but, uh,

what does this

have to do with Chteau Cassell?

You are supposed to be making

a business proposal.

Look, you and I both know that

the only businesses I'm qualified to run

are monkey and funny.

-Ah.

-But I do know how to have fun.

Well, this will never work.

Sabering a bottle of champagne

requires a saber,

hence the term.

Oh my God!

So, as you can see,

once Terrebonne acquires Chteau Cassel,

your champagne will be distributed

across a wide range of territories,

especially throughout the Asian market,

including Singapore,

South Korea, and India,

where champagne sales have significantly

increased in recent years

Hugo, are you okay?

Excuse me. Please go on.

The good news

is that Terrebonne will help you overcome

the market-entry trade barriers

that have been a challenge

for all the French leaders

Monsieur Cassell?

Beautiful, isn't it?

Looking out at those vines,

you'd think they were sleeping

but the opposite is true.

There is so much going on

beneath the surface.

Sydney, take a walk with me, will you?

Okay.

How do you like pernay?

Mm. It's the most beautiful place

I've ever seen.

I had a feeling that you would understand.

Not everyone does.

See there?

I was married on that hill.

-Nineteen years old, can you imagine?

-Wow.

Henri was born over there.

I was in the fields pruning the vines

when my Sophie's water broke.

I barely made it back to the chteau

before he arrived.

That's Henri, impulsif.

My wife was everything to me.

But then she got sick.

And when the disease

drained the life from her,

it drained the life from me too.

I should have been stronger for Henri.

But

I could barely put one foot

in front of the other.

So I did the only thing I knew.

I worked.

Mm.

In French, we don't say, "I miss you."

We say, "Tu me manques,"

which means, "You are missing from me."

That's exactly how I've felt

since Sophie died

and how I feel with Henri even now.

I'm so sorry about Sophie.

But you don't have to miss Henri.

He's still here.

Henri wants nothing to do with me.

I wouldn't be so sure about that.

I think you're missing from him too.

Bulles!

Henri and Sydney,

you take the cellars.

-Otto, help me to search the field.

-Okay.

Roberto et Brigitte, check the chteau.

- Come.

- Bulles. Bulles!

- Bulles!

- Little dog.

Bulles!

Does he do this often?

He does it all the time.

Don't worry, we'll find him.

How did your meeting with my father go?

It wasn't even really a meeting.

He just talked about you the whole time.

Let me guess. He cursed me out

for not following in his footsteps.

No, actually, he

He talked about how much

he misses your mother

and how much he misses

having you in his life.

What else did he say?

I think he should be the one to tell you.

- I can't tell which way it's coming from.

- Huh.

Maybe we should split up.

I'll meet you back at the entrance.

Okay.

Bulles!

Hi, buddy.

What are you doing here?

Hello.

We've been looking for you.

Gotcha.

There you are!

You found him?

Yeah.

Alors

Naughty boy.

I found this too.

Mon dieu.

One more time in English.

The most difficult roads lead

to the most beautiful destinations.

- The French really do have great sayings.

- Yes, we do.

What do you think

about this unusual Christmas tree?

Gorgeous.

Ah, Henri,

I want you to meet someone.

Hey, Syd.

What are you doing here?

Marvin was getting a little anxious

about your progress,

and so he sent me here for the assist.

- I don't need an assist.

- Um, I'm sorry.

Hi. Um Who are you?

Hi.

Ryan Garner, The Roth Group.

Right.

Now if you'll excuse us,

we have business to discuss.

Your mother and I used to sit

out here every night after dinner.

I remember.

May I join you?

Do you remember playing tag

in the vineyard?

Both of you laughing so hard

that you could barely breathe

You still think about those days?

I think about them all the time.

There's something I want to tell you.

Something I should have told you

a long time ago

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry I couldn't be stronger for you

when you needed me.

But I want you to know

that I'm here for you now.

And I will always be here

if you just give me the chance.

I know that

I know you always wanted me

to take on Chteau Cassell, but

But I have to find my own way.

I'm sorry, Papa.

I couldn't wish more for you

than for you to follow your own path.

What's gotten into you?

Sydney Price.

Oui.

Yeah. She does that.

You did it, Syd.

Cassell's lawyers have reached out to us

to start preliminary talks.

And Marvin's in negotiations

with Takami Imports.

What are you talking about?

Hugo didn't say anything about this.

Hugo's on a need-to-know basis,

and, uh he doesn't need to know.

At least not until after the deal when

we flip Chteau Cassell to the Japanese.

TRG is gonna make a risk-free 50 million.

And it's all because of you.

What about Hugo?

I promised him

he would stay on after the sale.

Once Takami takes over,

any previous contract will be voided.

This is everything you ever wanted.

You came here to take Chteau Cassell,

and you did it.

Mission accomplished.

You're right.

I came here to close a deal,

to make Marvin proud,

and to make a lot of money for TRG.

I did everything I came to do.

And now I wanna undo it.

Let me put this into one of your muddled

sports analogies so you can understand.

It's the bottom of the ninth.

You're at the goal line.

You can either take the ball

into the end zone,

or get thrown into the penalty box

for the rest of your career.

Henri?

Hey.

This was a mistake.

What?

I told myself I was coming here

to protect my father

but I was really coming to see you.

But now I know

that you and I could never work.

What are you talking about?

I saw a side of my father tonight

that I forgot existed.

Henri.

I need to be there for my father tomorrow,

like you need to be there

for your company.

I just think it's better

to say goodbye now.

Goodbye?

Au revoir, Sydney.

Merde.

Hi.

Hey, Hugo.

-You mind if I join you?

-Please.

How's the car coming along?

- I'm ready to admit defeat.

- Mm.

I know the feeling.

You know, my mom had a '65 Fiat.

-No kidding.

-No.

Yeah, and she fixed it herself

every time it broke down,

which was constantly.

We moved around a lot.

We stayed with my aunt

and my grandmother and

a few boyfriends that never lasted.

Whenever it was time to go, she'd fix up

that old Fiat, and we'd hit the road.

Hm.

She always made everything

feel like an adventure.

We'd stay up late and watch movies

we were too young to watch.

Like, um

Terminator 2.

And Die Hard, of course.

Anything where the hero

was up against impossible odds.

And then I got older,

and it wasn't so fun anymore.

I started to resent her.

But now I see she was doing

the best she could with what she had.

In her own way,

she was the hero of her story.

Well,

I need your mother now.

Me too.

She worked so hard.

All I ever wanted was for her to succeed.

That's why I got into this.

Every time I saved a small business,

it was like I was saving her too.

It sounds silly, doesn't it?

Not so silly.

I spent years trying to save my wife,

then my vineyard.

But I can't even save this old lemon.

-You check the carburetor?

-Yeah.

W-What about the idle jets?

Come on, baby.

Yes!

Pity I missed the car show.

Better late than never, right?

Better late than never.

Sydney,

why don't you tell me

what's really on your mind?

So I'm driving alone

Crying all the way home empty-handed

Was a hell of a show

I should laugh

But the joke never landed

The wind in my hair

For a second there

I almost believed in love

It was fun

It was fun

It was fun

Hey, buddy.

While it lasted

Hey.

You stop chasing rabbits, okay?

While it lasted

It's a stone-cold shot in the darkness

Another story you've heard

Another girl walks in

- Goodbye, Philippe.

- Goodbye, mademoiselle.

When I caught your stare

For a second there

I almost believed in love

It was fun

-It was fun

-It was fun

-It was fun

-It was fun

While it lasted

While it lasted

It was fun for a while

We had so many dreams

Love is so out of style

What the hell did we think?

Oh, oh, I almost believed in love

Okay, let's say I do go with you.

What exactly are you gonna show me?

Christmas in Paris.

While it lasted

While it lasted

Good morning, everyone.

I have enjoyed getting to know

you all this weekend.

Each of you has impressed me

by your proposal

for the future of Chteau Cassell.

As you know, this is more

than a company to me. It's my life.

Shouldn't we wait for Sydney?

That won't be necessary, Otto.

- Sydney left last night.

- What do you mean she left?

-Who gets the contract?

-Did you make a deal with Sydney?

Congratulations, Sydney!

Sorry, I suffer

from premature congratulations.

That's good, Roberto. You make me laugh.

And that's why

I'm selling Chteau Cassell to you.

I'm sorry, what now?

-What?

-What?

You're selling Chteau Cassell

to this clown? What are you thinking?

Papa, are you sure about this?

Champagne isn't like any other wine.

Champagne is for fun,

and Roberto here is all about fun.

-You are making a terrible mistake.

-Well, I made them before.

In fact, I almost made one today

by signing with your company.

Then Sydney told me what you had planned.

How your boss was going to cheat me.

What a hole in the a*s.

No, Hugo, be reasonable.

Roberto is a fool.

He doesn't understand France.

He doesn't understand our business.

Hugo, she's not wrong about me.

Everything I know about France

I learned from Ratatouille.

- Oh, I love that cartoon.

- Oh, it's a classic.

But I have no idea how to run a business.

Can't I just give you the money

and we can be partners?

Roberto, I need to come up

with 60 million,

or the bank will foreclose

on the property.

Oh, thank God. I thought

you were gonna say some crazy huge number.

It's funny 'cause it's true, right?

- Yeah.

- You people are insane.

You're both crazy.

You know that?

Concerned for your liver.

Happy for you.

In this business, you have to be.

I didn't see it coming.

I don't know where it's going.

- What do we do now?

- We drink.

- Woo-hoo! Nailed it!

- Sant!

We have a saying in Germany.

Which is, uh, "Everything has an end,

except for sausage, which has two."

Wow, your people have a lot of sayings

about sausage, don't they?

I just wish I could have said goodbye

to Sydney before she left.

Oh, well, we could start a group text.

That way we can all be in touch.

-Really?

-Yeah.

I've never had enough friends

to be included in a group text before.

Many people consider me

to be bleak.

Go join your son.

A glass-half-empty kind of person.

Doesn't matter if you're

a glass-half-empty or a glass-half-full.

All that matters

is that the glass is refillable.

Are you going to tell me

what a fool I am for going with Roberto?

I'm the fool.

I've made a terrible mistake with Sydney.

Yes, you have.

So, what are you going to do about it?

What do you want me to do?

It's too late for me.

It's better late than never.

Go.

Hurry.

Oh, Philippe!

What's going on?

I don't have a car.

Ha-ha.

How?

Sydney.

Oh, merde.

-Bonjour, mademoiselle.

-Bonjour, Marcel.

So how was your trip to Champagne?

How do you say catastrophe?

Catastrophe?

Of course. Always sounds better in French.

What happened?

Well,

I didn't close the deal, I quit my job,

and I got my heart broken.

- Mm.

- All in one weekend.

But I did fall in love,

I found a strength I never knew I had,

and I made some friends along the way.

So I guess you could say

champagne problems.

Champagne problems?

It just means your problems

aren't really that bad.

Most people would feel lucky

to have your worries.

Hm.

Sounds like a very good trip.

Yeah, I guess it was.

Thank you for everything.

Oh, you're most welcome, mademoiselle.

- Do you need a taxi to the airport?

- Yes, please.

Oh, and I need to make

a quick stop on the way, please.

Okay.

Excuse me. Good morning.

I'm here to see one of your guests.

Sydney Price.

I will check on that.

I'm sorry, but Mademoiselle Price

already checked out this morning.

Merci.

Monsieur.

I might have an idea for you.

Sydney.

How did you know I was here?

The concierge at the hotel.

Marcel.

Of course.

You came back for the books?

Yeah, but, um I found this instead.

For your sister?

No, for me.

I'm sorry.

I acted like an idiot.

Again.

- You can jump in anytime.

- No.

You're doing just fine.

You know, I

I wish I had the words

to tell you how I feel.

But when I try to say it in English,

they fail me.

It's okay.

I better get going.

My flight leaves in a few hours.

Okay.

Sydney.

Tu me manques.

You're missing from me too.

Merry Christmas, everybody!

- Merry Christmas.

- May we expect you all for dinner tonight?

And I promise, no cheese this time.

- Maybe a little bit of cheese.

- No.

"And the children screamed and screamed,

but Krampus kept coming."

Okay, how about this one instead?

Oh, it's just getting to the good part.

Hello. Uh, your name is Skyler?

Choose a job you love,

and you'll never work a day in your life,

right, Philippe?

Technically, I'm a silent partner.

Guess that's why

Hugo keeps telling me to shut up.

Bulles!

He doesn't think

that I can keep quiet.

Like, he said that I couldn't even go

five seconds without saying something.

I can be silent. Mum's the word.

How did we do today?

Well, considering Roberto

is drinking most of our profits,

Le Petit Rve is still in the red.

But that will change as soon as we get

our Christmas numbers in the books.

Mm-hmm.

Did anyone ever tell you

that you make a very sexy COO?

-You did this morning.

-Yeah?

Mm-hmm.

But some things are worth repeating.

Merry Christmas, Sydney.

Merry Christmas, my love.

I wanna put this time in a box

And wrap it

'Cause you make these moments

I'm just afraid

he's gonna leave me on read,

even though it's his color and everything.

He's probably got h*-h*-h*s

in different area codes.

- Should I text him, Philippe?

- Bonjour.

You know, Pre Nol and I

had a really good connection.

It's a seasonal thing.

Bulles!

You make these moments magic