A few recent photos from L'Aubance

 Sap rising where a vine has been pruned 

A few photos taken on the morning of Olivier Cousin's picnic and his hearing from vineyards near Juigné-sur-Loire.

View eastwards towards Saint-Saturnin-sur-Loire

(above and below)

 Transport for the pruners

 Standing water in the vines although we were quite high up 

– poor draining patch of clay?

Tree outlined against the blue, blue sky

Around Brissac and the L'Aubance: some photos

Evening light on Château de Brissac

It was a beautiful late summer's afternoon last Tuesday in Anjou and the last day of August. Here are some photos from that visit, which included a tour of the vines of Domaine de Bablut with Christophe Daviau to see how the grapes were looking, although there is still another 20 days or so before tpicking will start with the early varieties.

Sign for the small river L'Aubance which in the right conditions provides enough morning moisture in the autumn to provoke noble rot

The peaceful L'Aubance

Bablut Chardonnay to be used for Crémant de Loire

The varying colours of Cabernet Franc showing the extended véraison which is characteristic of the Franc – notice the pinker grapes at the top of the bunch

Cabernet Sauvignon: in contrast to the Franc the véraison in CS is much more uniform and quick, although the Cabernet Sauvignon will be ripe later. The véraison for the two varieties usually occurs around the same time.

Bablut: Grolleau for Rose de Loire

More Grolleau

Looking through the vines towards the small town of Brissac and its château to the right