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




Monday, 3 October 2016

2016 Loire harvest – Cher Valley: Laurent Saillard and Vincent Roussely


 Sauvignon Blanc, Laurent Saillard, 
ex-vineyards of Clos Roche Blanche 


Sauvignon Blanc from Le Clos, Angé, Vincent Roussely

On Friday we made two quick visits to two domaines in the Cher Valley – Laurent Saillard and Vincent Roussely. Both were in the middle of harvesting their Sauvignon Blanc. 

Laurent was reasonably happy – no April frost and mildew under control. The only significant loss was from grapes frazzle by the sun during the July and August heat wave. Although they now have a wind machine and used smoke pots during the frost, this vineyard also escaped the frost of 1991. It seems that there is a current of air that comes down through this site, which is just enough to keep the airt moving and protect the vines.

In contrast Vincent Roussely in Angé, about five kilometres to the west of Laurent's vines was hit by the April frost, so had few bunches of Sauvignon Blanc to pick in his Le Clos vineyard. 

 Laurent's team of pickers (above and below) including 
an American in Touraine (above)
 









Laurent loading boxes of Sauvignon
in his van   

••

 Vincent's team of US student pickers 
 

 Vincent Roussely






 Two bunches close together – sadly a rare sight!

 

No comments: