The episode's title is a reference to John Steinbeck's novel "The Grapes of Wrath" (the movie that is based on the novel, is, like The Simpsons, a Fox property). In fact, Bart crushes grapes in this episode too.
Bart's French gift to Maggie, a red balloon, is a reference to Le Ballon Rouge ("The Red Balloon"), a short 1956 French children's film.
The two winemakers, Cesar and Ugolin, are named after the peasants from the 1986 French films Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources (Manon of the Springs), according to producer George Meyer.
On the way to the chateau, Bart and Ugolin cycle past scenes depicted in several famous paintings, notably Bassin aux nymphéas by Claude Monet, Champ de blé aux corbeaux by Vincent van Gogh, Le rêve by Henri Rousseau and Déjeuner sur l'herbe by Édouard Manet.
Although never shown onscreen or heard in the dialogue, in the script Principal Skinner's mother's name is Gloria Skinner. Mrs. Skinner's first name was not used in any episode until "I must say I've had a lovely evening, Agnes." in "Bart the Fink".[1]
In the European French-dubbed version of this episode, the officer understands Bart, but is unaware that Bart is being abused. Bart then leaves, disappointed, but soon realizes his mistake and runs back to tell the officer the entire story. The Canadian French/Quebecois dub follows a little bit closer to the original, but in this version, the reason the officer does not understand Bart is because Bart speaks French with a French Canadian accent rather than a European French accent.
Goofs[]
Principal Skinner's grey tie
Bart's Krusty doll has a pull string; therefore, it should only have spoken once. It may have continued speaking due to damage caused by being knocked down the stairs. Or being a shoddy product, just like all of Krusty's merchandise.
The cherry bomb prank was put to the test by the Mythbusters. However, instead of geysers shooting out of the toilets, the blast instead blew all three toilets off their mountings, demonstrating the real-world impossibility of the stunt.
Contrary to popular belief, a cherry bomb fuse can in fact burn underwater, owing to the fact that black powder contains an oxidizer as well as fuel.
Between shots, the windows on the Simpsons' house change from bay to arch to bay.
In one scene, between two cuts Lewis' skin color changes. At first it is brown, then it goes yellow then back to brown.
When Skinner says 'Mother?', his tie is grey instead of pink.
When Homer and Marge are talking with Skinner in the living room, the foyer and TV room have swapped locations. (see gallery)
When Homer agrees to Principal Skinner's proposal without asking where Bart will be going, part of the pillow between Homer's shoulder and head turns green like the lining on Homer's robe.
As the students of Springfield Elementary School clap after Principal Skinner's speech, one girl with grey hair has much of her hair on the right side of her head repeatedly disappear and reappear on-screen.
When Adil picks up Lisa's dinner plate, the green food on the plate turns white like the plate for a frame.
