Interview with Stéphane De Groodt
"A good wine is like a journey through time."
Actor, author and master linguistic virtuoso Stéphane De Groodt juggles puns with the same panache with which he shaped his career. From motor racing to the stage, he forged a style all his own, full of absurdism and sharp observations. With his first play "Un léger doute" and his role in "La Vérité," he now examines both the position of the actor and our perception of reality. Behind the scenes, he also shares his wine preferences, unforgettable tastings and the people who came his way in the process.
Your play "Un léger doute" is your debut as a playwright. What prompted you to write it?
Stéphane De Groodt:
I have always loved word games. Writing allows you to explore ideas without any limitation. During the lockdown, I thought about what an actor represents without an audience: we exist in the gaze of the other - what happens when no one is looking? From that, the play was born. My antagonists refuse to leave their roles while I, on the contrary, want to leave the stage. It is a reflection on reality and fiction, spiced with humor and a pinch of whimsy.
You are currently performing a role in "La Vérité" by Florian Zeller, previously played by Pierre Arditi. Do you feel pressure?
Stéphane De Groodt:
Of course! Taking over a role written specifically for a great actor is intimidating. But I had to put that aside and make the play my own. Now I feel completely at one with the character.
What do you think of the expression In vino veritas?
Stéphane De Groodt:
It's an oft-repeated slogan. Alcohol removes inhibitions, but does the truth lie in sincerity or in lies?
Your humor is often called absurd. Is that typically Belgian?
Stéphane De Groodt:
Not necessarily. The absurd is universal, but in Belgium it is fully embraced. Maybe that's because the country is constantly changing its identity; we accept gray areas and paradoxes more easily. I myself feel more Belgian in France and vice versa. My humor thrives on these contrasts.
Speaking of wine: isn't good wine also about contrast and interpretation?
Stéphane De Groodt:
Exactly. Like theater, wine tells a story and should be tasted with all your senses. A good wine transports you, elicits emotions and reveals truths. It is like a time travel - you open a bottle and suddenly you are back to that party, that laugh, that conversation....
Do you have lasting wine memories?
Stéphane De Groodt:
Definitely! The first that comes to mind is my meeting with François-Xavier Demaison. We were on a film set and didn't know each other yet. The first night he took me out to dinner: "If I'm not mistaken, you like wine." He let me taste great bottles - wine literally forged our friendship. Since then, he has let me explore all kinds of regions. By the way, his own wine, Mirmanda (Côtes du Roussillon), is delicious!
When did you first drink wine?
Stéphane De Groodt:
As a child, I thought it was brilliant to drink the last sips of a family dinner. I got so sick that I didn't touch a drop for years! It wasn't until I was around 30 that I really started getting into wine.
Which wines did you start with?
Stéphane De Groodt:
In my environment, friends drank mostly red, but my aha moment came with white Burgundy. Gradually I learned to recognize grape varieties and refined my taste. At first I saw Bordeaux as generic, but later I discovered how different Pauillac, Pessac and Pomerol are. That insight grew with each tasting.
What weighs more heavily for you: region or grape?
Stéphane De Groodt:
I especially like round, gooey wines. For reds, I have a weakness for Syrah from the northern Rhone: beautifully balanced. In white, Bourgogne always impresses me with freshness and finesse. I am attached to grapes: I adore Merlot and Syrah, am less of a fan of Cabernet. Pessac charms me with roundness, Pomerol with silkiness. Yet I can also appreciate natural wines and have a weakness for certain Spanish and Portuguese bottles. What I look for is balance between fruit and density; too light or too stiff-tannic is not necessary for me.
What is your next project?
Stéphane De Groodt:
In September I will start 'La Vérité' again, in December my autobiography will be published. But most importantly: keep playing, writing and enjoying the present. As long as the desire is there, that's what counts.
Article: Muriel Lombaerts - passionate "epikurist", press and event agent, journalist (Horeca Magazine, Forbes, Duo Mag, Gael) and initiator of 'La Bière des Femmes' and 'Le Vin des Femmes'.
