Here's the news from Domaine Hughes Beguet, the name selected after many months of deliberation. Catchy, isn't it? Apparently a number of vignerons who didn't select their own name have regretted the need to establish their own name as well as their domaine and Daddy has heeded their advice. As the major brand in Arbois is "Vin Fou" I think they have a point.
Daddy (he'll probably become Papa soon) has been busy with Year 2 in the vines. He has acquired a new plot of vines near the house in Mesnay albeit on a 1 in 2 slope and popular with tobogganists, which is at the top of a hill and he will be planting the lower field shortly. He has not kept on "Pylones" which was not a quality plot but helped with volume last year. All the vines have been pruned, the dead wood removed, then bent and tied in good time although the weather at the beginning of the year was not conducive to open air activities. The tractor has come into its own with a small plough-like attachment to remove the weeds around the vines (albeit it jammed every 2 hours) and is now into spraying mode albeit with a 40 minute journey to Pupillan where the majority of the vines are situated.
Most importantly the wine from last year's harvest has nearly completed its secondary (malolactic) fermentation which means that it can shortly be bottled, a good job as various stands have been booked at wine fairs where it can be sold. Initially red only with the white later in the season. The good news is that some publicity has already been acquired regarding the quality of the wine which can only help, and it's only Year 1 and the "en conversion" to organic (biologique in France) can only be applied to this year's vintage. So it should get better and better, although the 2010 weather probably won't be bettered in the short-term unless global warming continues to make the Jura tropical like last year.
On the subject of bottling, the distinctive bottles of Jura wine will shortly be adorned with Hughes Beguet labels- watch this space for an example next blog.
Visited England again in May for the wedding of a school friend of Mummy's and a couple of photos appear alongside. As you will see I am now standing and expect to start running about any day now. 5 teeth and counting. Granny and GP are due to visit this week but Great Grannie is poorly and their arrival has been delayed. We wave at each other on Skype regularly which is good.
A longer update when I have briefed my ghost-writer(aka Grandpa) when I see him later this week.
Bisous
Bastian
No comments:
Post a Comment