Awards and citations:


1997: Le Prix du Champagne Lanson Noble Cuvée Award for investigations into Champagne for the Millennium investment scams

2001: Le Prix Champagne Lanson Ivory Award for investdrinks.org

2011: Vindic d'Or MMXI – 'Meilleur blog anti-1855'

2011: Robert M. Parker, Jnr: ‘This blogger...’:

2012: Born Digital Wine Awards: No Pay No Jay – best investigative wine story

2012: International Wine Challenge – Personality of the Year Award




Friday 26 August 2011

2011 Loire vintage: picking Sauvignon Blanc@Le Clos Roche Blanche

Emptying 2011 Sauvignon Blanc grapes into the trailer


The 2011 vintage started at the CRB this afternoon despite the overnight rain and despite it being Friday – "work started on a Friday is never finished" is an old saying. The Sauvignon Blanc grapes looked good with rare traces of rot plus some affected by wasp stings which apparently produces vinegar and affected bunches need to be discarded.

"When we checked the maturity of the grapes they were at 11.5%-12% potential," said Catherine Roussel, "but the acidity levels are already low – 4.5. I'm happy if our Sauvignon Cuvée No2 is around 12%. I'm tired of Sauvignon at 14%, although the grapes for Cuvée No 5 will be a bit riper but No2 is for easy, refreshing drinking."


The team of pickers gathers for the off 
Catherine Roussel issuing instructions on what to pick and what not to ...


Two hod carriers – on right Laurent Saillard


Making a start






2011 Sauvignon Blanc (above and below)





Bucket of grapes 


Laurent sending a text, while waiting for the next load of grapes


Catherine watching grapes go into the trailer


Bunches building up in trailer

Dog's verdict on pickers and the 2011 vintage


















2 comments:

Luc Charlier said...

A short comment on your last picture : see link http://coumemajou.jimdo.com/chèvrerie-des-chênes/cats-and-dogs/

Jim's Loire said...

Luc. I see it's reigning cats and dogs down in the south...