Chapter 127: Chapter 121 The “Disgrace” of the French Guards

After all the vineyard owners had signed the contracts to plant potatoes, Joseph then kindly expressed that a specialist would soon handle their membership into the French Brewing Technology Association and teach their brewers the corresponding techniques.

Lastly, he also warmly reminded everyone to beware of those cellars that were using the new brewing technology without authorization.

Pasteurization, when it comes down to it, is quite simple; it’s about controlling the temperature and heating time, and those who have come into contact with it could easily leak it out. But now, France has patent laws and a patent office, so if anyone dares to use the patented technology casually, they better be prepared to pay until they’re bankrupt.

The vineyard owners present immediately declared, with shared animosity, that they would diligently supervise everything with all their might.

After all, competitors are enemies; they wish for fewer rivals so that their own sales would be better. And since they had paid membership and patent usage fees, how could they possibly sit by and watch those who weren’t members “freeload”?

Even more so, some were already pondering how to buy the bankrupted parties like Count Ledney’s industries at a low price after their downfall.

After praising everyone’s loyalty to the King, Joseph left the Yalsen Cellar.

As he arrived at the gates of Yalsen Manor, he suddenly slapped his forehead, realizing he had forgotten someone. So he instructed Eman, “Count Eman, please invite Mr. Venio over.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Before long, the Crown Prince’s carriage convoy slowly set off, leaving the grape plantation.

In the carriage, Joseph smiled towards Venio, “Mr. Venio, you see, just as I said, everyone was very eager to request the planting of potatoes.”

Recalling the bet between the two, Venio immediately replied with an admiring tone, “Your Highness, what you have done is simply astonishing. Please command me as you wish; I will do everything within my power to accomplish it.”

Joseph nodded with satisfaction, “Then let me thank you in advance for the hard work you will be putting in. The promotion of potato planting in Bordeaux has had certain effects, so there are other similar places that can also use this method to promote, such as Burgundy, Provence, and so on.”

Upon hearing this, Venio immediately understood the Crown Prince’s intent, his eyes lighting up — both Burgundy and Provence were wine-producing regions, and although their production was less than Bordeaux, the brewing industry there was also significant.

As long as they used the new brewing technology as bait, repeating Bordeaux’s script, he believed many vineyard owners would be willing to plant potatoes.

Joseph added, “Right, Brittany and Normandy can also promote potatoes in this way.”

“Ah?” Venio was puzzled, “Your Highness, but these places don’t produce wine…”

Joseph smiled slightly, “But they have the beer industry. My brewing technology is not just effective for wine, it works for beer and spirits as well.”

His eyes wide, Venio exclaimed, “This technology is simply too incredible!”

“It can even be used to preserve milk.” Joseph added casually, looking towards Venio with a smile, “I hope you can represent me in these places, promoting potato planting through brewing technology. Of course, I will provide the necessary staff for you.”

With exceptional oratory skills and passionate about potato planting, Venio was just the right person for the job. With him traveling back and forth, Joseph could save a great deal of energy.

Immediately, Venio bowed deeply, “Your Highness, it’s an honor to serve you. I will definitely satisfy your expectations!”

He then discussed some important details with Joseph about the “technology for potatoes” trade, and finally couldn’t resist asking what he had been most curious about recently, “Your Highness, could you tell me how you manage to improve the success rate and quality of brewing without even being involved in the process?”

Joseph didn’t hide anything; after all, the “patent law” offered protection, so there was no fear of leaks, “Mr. Venio, failures in brewing and poor quality are related to the sourness of the wine. Do you know where the sourness comes from?”

As someone who managed a cellar and was fairly knowledgeable, Venio promptly answered, “There are several possibilities, such as poor quality of grapes, or the control of brewing time being imprecise…”

After letting him finish, Joseph shook his head with a smile, “The factors you mentioned may have some effects, but they are not the fundamental cause.”

Immediately, Venio’s eyes widened, “The fundamental cause? What is that?”

“Lactic acid bacteria.”

“Lactic acid bacteria?” Venio was confused, “That seems to be a type of bacteria?”

Joseph nodded, “That’s right, it’s the stuff used for making yogurt.”

“But that is yeast.” Venio blurted out.

“That’s a misunderstanding.” Joseph corrected him, “In fact, it is something completely different from yeast. It breaks down proteins or sugars, releasing lactic acid, which is the source of the acidity in wine.

“And these bacteria are found everywhere in nature, so during brewing, they easily contaminate the grape pulp or water, thus causing the wine to sour.”

“Fortunately, they are very fragile. They just need to stay in an environment at 60 degrees for half an hour, and they will be completely dead.”

Thoughtfully, Venio said, “So according to you, just by heating the raw materials used for brewing to 60 degrees and maintaining it for half an hour, we could solve all the problems?”

“Indeed so.”

Astonishment spread across Venio’s face, “Is it really that simple?!”

“That’s how science works, without the process of exploration, the conclusions are often not complicated.” Joseph said with a nodding smile.