Talk with Stéphane de Groodt

Your play, ‘Un léger doute’, marks your first foray into theatre as a playwright. What compelled you to write it?

I have always liked playing around with words. With writing, you can explore ideas with absolutely no limitations. During lockdown, I reflected upon what an actor represents without an audience. We exist through the eyes of others so what happens when there’s no-one to see us? That’s where the idea for the play came from. My partners refuse to leave their role, whilst I try and exit the stage. It’s a reflection on reality and fiction, spiced up with humour and a dash of quirkiness. 

You are currently performing in ‘La Vérité’ by Florian Zeller, in a part once played by Pierre Arditi. Do you feel any pressure? 

Of course! Taking over a role designed specifically for a hugely talented actor is intimidating. But I had to put that to the back of my mind and take ownership of the script. Now I feel totally at one with the character.

What is your take on the expression In vino veritas?

It’s a catchphrase that’s been heard over and over. Alcohol allows people to lose their inhibitions, but does the truth lie in sincerity or lies?

Your humour is often described as absurd. Do you believe this is specific to Belgians?

Not particularly. The absurd is universal, but in Belgium it is wholeheartedly embraced. Perhaps because it’s a country with a constantly changing identity so we accept grey areas and paradoxes more easily. Personally, I feel more Belgian when I’m in France and vice versa. My humour thrives on playing around with contrasts.

Let’s talk about wine. Isn’t good wine all about contrast and interpretation?

Exactly. Like theatre, wine tells a story and should be savoured with all five senses. A good wine carries you away, it reveals emotions and exposes truths. It’s like a journey through time – you open a bottle of wine and all of sudden, you are transported back to a party, a laugh, a conversation…

Do you have any lasting memories with wine?

Oh there are plenty! But the one that immediately springs to mind is the time I met François-Xavier Demaison. We were on a film set but hadn’t yet met. The first evening, he took me to a restaurant and said, “If I’m not mistaken, you like wine”. And then he introduced me to some amazing wines. Wine literally cemented our friendship. Since then, he has continued to familiarise me with different regions and vineyards. In fact, his own wine – Mirmanda in Côtes du Roussillon – is delicious!

When was your first experience with wine?

As a child, I had this brilliant idea of finishing up the dregs at a family dinner. I was so sick afterwards that I didn’t touch a drop for years! It was only when I was about 30 that I started to really take an interest in wine.

Which wines did you start with?

All around me, my friends were drinking mostly red wine. But I had my eureka moment with white wine when I discovered Burgundy. Then, over time, I learnt to recognise grape varieties and hone my tastes. Bordeaux, which I originally viewed as a generic term, gradually came into sharper focus. I realised that Pauillac was nothing like Pessac and that Pomerol was very distinctive compared with other Bordeaux wines. This change occurred gradually, the more I tasted and discovered wines.

What takes precedence in your opinion, the region or the grape variety?

Most of all, I enjoy rounded, appetising wines. For reds, I have a weak spot for Syrah from the northern Rhone Valley. I like their balance. For whites, Burgundy bowls me over with its freshness and finesse. There are red wines from many regions that I can enjoy, but I realise that I am very attached to grape varieties. I love Merlot, I love Syrah but I’m not necessarily a fan of Cabernet. What I like about Pessac, for example, is that roundness that doesn’t remind me too much of Cabernet. I also like Pomerol for its silkiness. But that doesn’t mean I don’t like some natural wines. I also have a penchant for certain Spanish and Portuguese wines. What I look for mostly is great balance between fruitiness and density. I don’t like wines that are too light, or those that are too astringent and tannic.

What is your next project?

I’m back on ‘La Vérité’ in September then publishing my autobiography in December. But most importantly, I want to continue acting, writing and enjoying the here and now of life. As long as the desire is still there, that’s the main thing.