The Loire Valley and especially Blois
We were lucky enough to be present when friends in the Bellarine in Victoria were pressing their personal harvest of shiraz grapes. Everyone had a turn at activating the press (and tasting the juice!). Nous avons eu de la chance d’être présents lorsque nos amis dans le péninsule de Bellarine dans l’état de Victoria pressaient leur petite …
Continue reading “Postcard from Australia: the Wine Press – le pressoir à vin”
The mythical vineyards of McLaren Vale and the Barossa Valley in South Australia produce some of the finest shiraz wines in the world but the continuing drought has scorched the countryside. Les vignobles mythiques de McLaren Vale et la vallée de la Barossa en Australie méridionale sont à l’origine des meilleurs syrahs du monde mais …
Continue reading “Postcard from Australia – McLaren Vale and Barossa Vineyards”
Manning a stand at the market is exhausting work at the best of times without when you have to put up with the cold in winter, a cup of mulled wine is a warming moment. Travailler sur le marché est épuisant même dans les circonstances les plus favorables mais quand il faut supporter le froid en hiver …
Cosmos on one side, grape vines on the other – a great cycling route in autumn! Cosmos d’un côté, vignes de l’autres – quel bel itinéraire pour faire du vélo en automne !
We fought with the blackbirds in September to get the grapes. Now we have the pleasure of seeing the leaves turn to a lovely gold. Nous nous sommes battus avec les merles en septembre pour manger les raisins. Maintenant nous avons le plaisir de voir les feuilles virer à une belle couleur dorée.
Yesterday, I posted a photo of the Mont-Près-Chambord wine co-op from the outside. This is a photo of the inside where we were lucky enough to have the very knowledgeable manager look after us. We bought some white cheverny which is 20% chardonnay and 80% sauvignon. Hier j’ai publié une photo de l’extérieur de la …
Continue reading “Inside the Co-op – A l'intérieur de la coopérative”
Today we visited the wine co-op in Mont-Près-Chambord today for the first time and learnt that a new tasting room is being built, with an eatery and different kinds of vines behind. We’re looking forward to seeing the result. Nous avons visité la coopérative vinicole de Mont-Près-Chambord pour la première fois aujourd’hui. On est en …
Continue reading “A Make-Over for the Wine Co-op – La coopérative vinicole se refait une beauté”
Beaujolais nouveau is not the only young wine in France – Touraine primeur is also ready to drink on the 3rd Thursday of November. The Amboise wine growing school has a stall at the Tours fresh produce market.After tasting this pleasant wine, we bought three bottles. After being contacted by the local newspaper, La Nouvelle …
Jean Michel was most intrigued by this still in the courtyard of Château de Moncontour wine museum and cellar, not only because of its size but also the presence of an electric motor. The one he knew in his childhood looked more coppery. Jean Michel était très intrigué par cet alambic dans la cour du musée …
We found this on our bike route yesterday – an old grape press at Château Moncontour near Vouvray. It also has a museum, unfortunately, for us, closed on Sundays. You can also see the troglodyte cellars. En faisait du vélo hier, nous avons trouvé ce vieux pressoir au Château Moncontour à côté de Vouvray. Il y a …