Winemaker Maxime Chapoutier faces the risk of arrest if he attempts to market two of his latest wines in France. Despite this, he sees the potential value in the potential controversy, stating, "Sometimes you need to be provocative to drive change."

The wines causing the stir are a white and a red blend of French and Australian base wines, a practice forbidden by both French and EU regulations. The concept of "terroir," integral to the French wine industry, emphasizes the uniqueness of wines based on environmental factors.

In a surprising move, Maxime has ventured into creating these unconventional blends, leveraging the impact of Brexit to sell them in the UK, bypassing EU regulations. Marketed by UK online retailer The Wine Society as Hemispheres Red and Hemispheres White, these wines incorporate Australian grapes like syrah (shiraz) and French varieties such as marsanne and viognier.

While traditional winemakers criticize this trend, others like Jamie Goode find it exciting, emphasizing the skill needed to blend wines from distinct regions. Peter Richards, a master of wine, expresses concerns about novelty overshadowing quality, unlike Maxime who emphasizes accessibility and eco-friendly bulk shipping.