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Published: October 17th 2007
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11th October 2007 We had hoped that we would be in Alsace in time to help with the grape harvest. Alas, this year the harvest was about a month earlier than normal. This was due to some freakish weather in about April, when an Indian summer burst on the scene resulting in the vines producing their fruit much earlier. Then, the region was hit by a hail storm, wiping out about 40%!o(MISSING)f the crop. So, by the time we arrived in Alsace the harvest was well and truly over, except for a few rows of vines which had fruited a bit later than the others. We spent about 2 hours picking roughly 100kg of grapes and that was that.
Jean and Beatrice lent us their Peugeot 205 and we set about re-exploring the district, starting with the château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg, then down to Bergheim for an afternoon drink and a stroll. It was great to get the chance to show our friends, Al and Melissa, the region we love so much, it really is fairy tale land.
Back home again we gave Jean a hand with some of the wine making duties. It was great to get
the chance to discuss some of the detail with him and I had a few questions I wanted to explore with him in regard to my wine making back in Australia. It was great to be able to do this in person, rather than on the phone for a change.
The weather was a bit cooler than down south in Spain, Italy or the Camargue country, but we were still blessed with clear blue skies. In fact, so far we had been lucky, each time we departed for a new destination the forecast changed from clear and sunny to rain. We seemed to stay one step ahead of the weather most of the time.
12th October 2007 - Colmar We spent the day on the tourist trail in Colmar. Sometimes you have to do the typically tourist things, after all we are tourists! So, we got a copy of the tourist walk map from the tourism office and set off to see the sights. The highlight being a short boat ride in the Petite Venice district, plus a quick detour on the way home to show Al and Melissa that famous street that is named after my
Alsace encore
home again with our dear friends & petites cousins Beatrice & Jean great grandfather’s brother. Ok, it is a minor claim to fame, but why not lap it up while you can!
Juliette had arrived from Paris and it was great to see her lovely smile and hear her infectious laugh again. That evening we shared dinner with Evaline Bleger, who is the daughter of Paul Bleger (a very well known Alsace winemaker). Evaline is also a winemaker and is currently in charge of operations at the co-op in Ribeauvillé. We had an interesting discussion with her that was prompted by us mentioning the documentary that was released a few years ago “Mondo Vino”. Our conversation then wound it’s way to the subject of corks. To some this may not be such an interesting topic, but for those at the table this evening it was riveting.
Evaline also told us she had a few assistants working with her from overseas this vintage and she sometimes found this a bit difficult as it was often easier to get in and do it herself rather than trying to explain what needed to be done in English. I can imagine this would be a challenge.
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lies en Mies
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You are in the neighbourhood!!
Paris,that's great!! Have fun! And if ou have no plans,you are always welcome in our house in The Neterlands!! Liesbeth and Michel