Burgundy is awash with grapevines where we live. This is the greatest wine area on the planet. Yes, I am a touch biased, but I truly believe that as fact. And I am happy to discuss/argue that point with anybody, especially while enjoying a great wine or two.
Don’t get me wrong, there are several other great wine areas in Europe, and we travel to them often, to expand our palates, and to enjoy other grape varieties made by committed, creative grape growers and winemakers. We will be profiling other wine regions as this blog morphs, for the next couple of weeks, however, our focus will be right here at home. The Côte d’Or, in breathtaking Burgundy.
At this time of year it is pruning time. From December through March, vignerons are very busy with this exercise that cuts the vine back almost to the trunk. Benjamin Leroux, the winemaker where I have worked the last five harvests, told me it takes a vineyard worker about three working weeks to prune a hectare of vines. His three workers will take three months to prepare the 9 hectares owned by Clos des Epeneaux to be ready to start to grow for the 2010 harvest.
As the vines get trimmed, the branches get burned, on-site, in 100s of oil drum wheelbarrows strewn along the hillsides. It produces a wonderful aroma that fills the air on an almost daily basis.
Another thing that is done to the vines for winter is a plowing that covers the base of the vines with soil. This gives some insulation that will protect the vine, if the temp drops way down below the freezing point. I took a photo this morning of a vineyard owned by the Hospices de Beaune. You can see the mounds built up on the vines.
Looking at la Montagne from in front of Beaune Teurons 18 jan 2010
This week I have some very interesting tastings lined up at great small growers in the area. Look here for the tasting notes and profiles of the different producers and their products.
I am also working on several trip projects for the Spring, Summer and Fall on this gorgeous continent. Check back here for updates as we file reports on where we live, where we travel and what the buzz is, in our niche of the travel market.
