In the Languedoc, the heat wave has been intense, and the temperatures were already high when we welcomed the Gourmet Odyssey Discovery Experience Day participants at Domaine Allegria. The adoptive vine owners had come to learn about what happens in the vineyard to produce the best grapes come harvest time.
We started the day by visiting the plot where the adopted vines are located, accompanied by Paco and Bella, the two faithful dogs at the winery. We applied the sunscreen and put on hats as the sun was already high and beating down strongly, and took a few minutes to take some photos of our adopted vines.

Since the winter, much has already happened in the vineyard and so we were brought up to speed about the various tasks, and learnt about what remains to be done between now and the harvest, which will be a little earlier than usual this year due to the high temperatures and sun of the past few weeks. We also discovered what being an organic vineyard entails.
The vines had been growing quickly over the previous few weeks, and so there was much to do in the vineyard. The bravest had a go at hoeing around the vine trunks to remove the grass and weeds. This is necessary in organic winemaking as the plough that is pulled behind the tractor can clear the weeds between the vines, but has more difficulty directly around the trunk.

We also ensured that the vine branches were growing between the training wires so that they are better supported and to avoid being damaged by the passing tractor.

And we also got to work by removing any shoots that had sprouted on the vine trunk or from the roots. These shoots will not produce any fruit, and so by getting rid of them, we help the vine concentrate its energy on ripening the grapes for this year’s harvest.

Before lunch, we had a quick visit of the cellar for an introduction to the art of vinification. We’ll learn more about this process during the Vinifcation and Harvest Experience Days.

We enjoyed lunch in the shade because the sun was even stronger by now. We tasted the Dolce Vita 2016 rosé wine in a magnum for the aperitif. During the main course, we discovered the Cinsault Abuelo 2016, Carignan Gourmand 2015 and Poivre de Mourvèdre 2014. With cheese from the local Mas Roland, we tasted the Tribu d’A 2015, and ended the meal with the Grande Cuvée La Belle Histoire 2015. A great way to end a very sunny day. We’ll see you again soon for the harvest!