越後平野に初雪がちらつく頃、一年を締めくくるある特別な果物の出荷が始まる。ル レクチエ＿＿。ラ・フランスという名前で流通している西洋なしと同じ種類ではあるが、その味わいは似て非なるもの。その味の決め手は、収穫しておよそ40日、糖度を高めるための「追熟」という行程にあった…。

Shirone lies in a fertile river basin in the old province of Echigo,now called Niigata, in northwest Japan. It is blessed with two rivers that bring fresh snow melt from the mountains. Much rice and other staples are grown here, but there are luxuries too - including the highly-prized Le Lectier pear.
The story of Le Lectier begins in these fields of Niigata prefecture.Now, with the first snow fall of the year drawing near, the harvest begins. Before they reach the market, however, the pears are left to slowly ripen for 40 days, the sugar content gradually rising until they reach the rich flavor that has earned them a reputation as the queen of pears in Japan.

上越新幹線、燕三条駅から車で20分あまり。日本一の大河・信濃川と、その支流の中ノ口川が作る三角州に果樹のふるさと「白根地区（現在は新潟市南区）」はある。越後平野に初雪が舞う頃、一年を締めくくるある特別な果物の出荷が最盛期をむかえる。幻の西洋なしと呼ばれる「ル レクチエ」である。青山淳彦（あおやま・あつひこ）さん（53歳）は、22歳のときに専業農家になった。生まれも育ちも白根である。

The Shinano River winds 367 kilometers from its source in the mountains of Nagano to Niigata before reaching the Sea of Japan. It is both Japan's longest river and integral to the nation's identity: the fertile river basins in Niigata produce the rice widely considered to be the country's best. This prized rice also becomes prized sake, another well-appreciated cultural icon.