La Vendange

All around the Poitou-Charentes region the time of year for the ‘Vendange’ (grape harvest) has arrived. Although not famous for its wine, the area produces some very reasonable and quaffable local wines as well as many fine Pineau des Charentes of course. Each local ‘vigneron’ (wine maker) will decide when his grape-laden vines are ready for the harvest.

 So at the moment it is not an uncommon sight to see groups of locals clad in shorts (and often wearing wellies too) amongst the lines of vines armed with secateurs and baskets. The harvest is then brought back for pressing, alas gone are the days, it seems, of bare feet doing the work of a wine press. I wonder if the taste is more refined these days for it.

Some locals had started their ‘Vendange’ last weekend under glorious sunshine which lasted all week whilst others did so yesterday (picking the red grapes) in the same glorious sun and finished today by picking the white grapes, but under a rather heavy downpour!

 The majority of the vines grown in the Ruffec area are non-commercial, being used for private consumption throughout the year. Generally providing red wine and the grape juice to use in the making of the beautiful Pineau Des Charentes. There are syndicates producing wine on a commercial basis adhering to ‘Indication Géographique Protégée Charentais’ (IGP) which was set up in 2002 to protect the quality and production of the ‘Vin de Pays Charentais’ .

 All in all it is a sight which says to me that autumn has arrived in the Poitou-Charentes. I generally prefer to let the vignerons do all the hard work in late September/early October and then to enjoy the fruits of their labour throughout the year.................santé!