Tessa (Iris) here welcoming you all to my blog. OK, it's not really mine, but my brother has been hogging the limelight for over 3 years and I know he won't mind a quick post from me. So here I am weighing in at 3.6kg, half a kilo heavier than when I arrived on 27 June after a swift, but apparently eye-watering, delivery, sans anaesthetic (ouch).
And I gather that I might be entitled to a share of my brother's wine empire, which is also pretty good news. Not sure about wine, but some say it's even better than milk, so it gets my vote. Haven't had a full tour of the winery and vineyards yet, but I gather there's plenty of wine downstairs and this year's crop is also looking good with just some 6 weeks until picking. Lots of mildew about but Daddy has escaped pretty well unscathed. Fingers are now crossed that we get no hail and that the wild boar which love to roam in Champ Fort just up the road don't manage to beat the electric fence as they did last year.
Was pleased to be introduced to Granny and Grandpa shortly after my birth, and also to Tata Christelle and cousin Alexis. I also see Mami and Papi regularly with many of the family commenting on my likeness to Mami, having darker hair at the moment than Basti, who sends his bisous to all his readers- he'll be back on blog shortly.
The Tour de France was won by Bradley Wiggins and I was there, well at least on the local stage between Arc et Senans and Besancon. Great fun being bombarded with free gifts for an hour before the time trial. Basti enjoyed riding his bike up and down the road with Union Jacks on it and what seemed like most of the police motor-cyclists in France, accompanying the procession and riders, waving at him. During a break he would pedal up and down with the locals crying "Allez, allez". Show-off (but he ain't seen what a girl can do yet!).
Well GP did say that he would reluctantly taste the 2011 vintage and report back- "someone has to do it" he cries. And here is his verdict. "Wow". We all know (OK, possibly not me, but I'm getting there) that Ploussard is a very versatile and under-rated variety, except in the Jura. Well I'm pleased to tell you that despite the heavier-cropping last year the flavour is right up there. Possibly not as complex on the tongue in some instances, but definitely very fruity and more-ish. GP is selling the rosé, white blend of Savagnin and Chardonnay and the red Côte de Feule. Very pleased with the new rosé (good job as the rest has sold out) and he likes the new basic Ploussard so much that he might add it to his selection. He will probably stick with the 2010 white for a little while (his 2010 favourite) before moving onto the 2011 but the new edition is just as good. www.hb-wines.co.uk for details.
Well I think I've done pretty well not to doze off whilst writing this, but don't want to tempt fate so will say adieu, ftb. I look forward to meeting you all soon- no doubt I'll catch up with a few of you in September at vendanges time. As always the more the merrier, so do contact Daddy if you can spare a weekend in the country.
Love to you all
Tessa xxx
