A precious bunch
Around 20 years ago we bought three vines from the Easter Foire aux Vins at Saint-Georges-sur-Cher. All were eating grapes. One was a Chasselas, another a Muscat de Hambourg and the third I can no longer remember its name. Saint-Georges no longer holds an annual Foire aux Vins and our three vines have never prospered. Maybe the soil has too much limestone for the rootstock. Also not being there all the time means they haven't had the best of care.
We were astonished to discover on Friday that we had some Muscat grapes – just one bunch before you get too excited. This is belived to be the first grapes that any of the three vines have produced in around 20 years since we planted them. This certainly presents Mark Roberstson's Clos Chossay operation in a different light as he picked his Côt and Cabernet Franc on Saturday afternoon ending up with 75 litres of a field blend of the two varieties. As in 2009 Clos Chossay's production this year is over one hectolitre. Look out Castel!
Whether we will have to wait another 20 years for the next bunch of Muscat remains to be seen.
We, too, have some eating grapes on the property, planted long ago by the previous owners. They hardly produce a thing. First, they are overshadowed by two very large conifers to the east. Poor planning, that.
ReplyDeleteI'm slowly yanking them out as they are beginning to fail and rot. But I prune the remaining vines every year. Ever hopeful.
Walt. I'm sure that our rather erratic tending of the three vines has been a significant factor.
ReplyDeleteI've just picked 5 bunches of grapes that look remarkably similar to yours. Wanna form a co-operative? :-))
ReplyDeletePS I'm blaming the late frost this year.
Susan. Excellent idea, although we would be rather overwhelmed by your volume of fruit!
ReplyDelete