
One might imagine that things get rather quiet in a small rural village after the tourist season draws to a close. Yet, that is not the case. As early as late August, the vignerons begin the harvest. There will be some unfamiliar faces as young people from all over europe arrive to help get the raisins (grapes). From before seven in the morning until the last shards of light fade away the streets are a hive of tractors, grape harvesters and vehicles filled with pickers on their way to the vineyards.
The Languedoc-Roussillon is the largest wine-producing region in France. More wine is produced in this one small department than in the entire United States. There is a wide variety of grapes grown here such as Grenache, Syrah as well as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. While Languedoc wines cover a rather broad spectrum, from white to red; sweet to dry and of course sparkling which pre-dates Champagne (but that will be another post and another time). The region proudly cultivates the vines on over 700,000 acres here along the Mediterranean cast. It is thought to be the single largest wine-producing area in the world.

The Languedoc-Roussillon is arid, warm and brimming with sunlight. The rugged terrain of herbs, brush and resinous plants infuse the wine with their scents and flavours. It is the ideal terrain and climate for growing grapes. While the quality became secondary to quantity for a time in the early twentieth century the hard working vignerons (vine growers) committed themselves to turning it around with remarkable results.
In the photo is one of our local wine producers, Remy, who makes a lovely collection of organic wines and also grape juice. If I am lucky, I can buy a few of the days pickings that did not end up in the vats. Gait is a manager for Remy and has the “honour” of having the buckets of grapes from all the pickers loaded into the large container on his back. Being quite tall, he must bend to allow the pickers to dump the fruit into the container on his back which quickly fills. He follows around all of the people who are cutting the clusters of grapes and then transports his container when filled to the trailer which will quickly be transported back to the cave and on its way to the vats. While it is true that large machines harvest a vast amount of the grapes, a number prefer the hands on approach. Additionally, some of the terrain is such that this is not a viable option.

The perfume of fermenting grapes begins to fill the air as fêtes de vins fill our weekends with tastings, dances, music and more. They last well through November even though the last grapes have been harvested. While these photos are all taken at Domaine Sainte Juste, there are a several wonderful options in just this small village alone (pop. 700). There are many more just a few kilometers away.
Remember, you can always click on the photos to enlarge them.
Bisous,
Léa










One of my favorite cultural events is visiting les vignobles (vineyards), meeting the locals, and of course, sampling the end products! In fact, I will be going back to the Languedoc very soon to visit friends.
I do understand and love living right in the heart of it all.
This is a lovely post Lea and very atmospheric.
No wonder you are happy living where you do. These are the things we learned about in french lessons at school but that’s all they were – lessons, and here you are, living those lessons – and more!!
With my past problem of alcohol addiction I am now quite happy to taste and enjoy fresh grapes as they come. And I will leave the wine tasting quite contentedly alone 🙂 🙂
Love
Christine xx
I do understand. My father had that problem so I have always been very careful. However, I do adore a glass of red with dinner or later in the evening.
I was never crazy for grapes until I had the ones Remy grows. Now they are an addiction that we could both enjoy. XXX
Bisous,
Lea
I am quite happy to be addicted to grapes!! 🙂
xxxxx
If I could send you some of these in an email… 🙂
xxx
Would be lovely!! 🙂 xx
As usual you make it sound like heaven !!!
Unfortunately, I cannot take any of the credit. It is paradise. 🙂
Ah, harvest! What a wonderful time…I live in an area that is harvesting as well…now the leaves will change color and the cycle continues. I would LOVE to visit this region one day and sip nature’s nectar! Merci!
Being the traveler you are, no doubt you will get here. The nectar is amazing. When I lived in the states, I would buy french wines but they didn’t come close to what is on offer here. Merci beaucoup!
I love your description and could almost smell that perfume of fermenting grapes. Everything looks so idyllic. You keep making me want to move there, but it also makes me happy that you’re able to enjoy it all so much. Some of my favorite things are red wine, grapes, farmlands, and communities so don’t be surprised if I do show up there one of these days!
I never cared one way or the other for grapes until I tried the ones in the photos at the bottom of the post. WOW! However, I do love a good red wine and fortunately, here it is just finding the ones you prefer. That is not difficult. In our small village there are about a dozen that make their own for sale and a cooperative where those who don’t make their own can sell their grapes. Basically, it is all good but quite a number are off the charts. There are many small villages nearby who have the same. Even if you have a favourite, you are frequently offered other wines so you can always compare. You can get excellent wine without spending a fortune. Taking my own bottles to the cave, I can buy 2 liters of Remy’s wine for 5 euros. At today’s exchange rate that is $6.43 for almost three bottles. Who knew life could be so good? Let me know when you are coming and I can point out some of the best. 🙂
wow thats just some wonderful farming going on
Simply the best! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will come again.
Beautiful & Wonderful blog…life too I imagine! Good for you.
Cheers,
Cindy
Merci bien! Life is much more than I ever dreamed it could be.
À votre santé,
Lea
Thank you so much. Life in la belle France is magnificent!
took work, uninstalled internet explorer, installed google chrome. now i can like again!
Ah, technology is a double edged sword! As always, it is good to hear from you.
À votre santé
I LOVE these images – salut! 🙂
Merci beaucoup et À votre santé!
BTW, after re-reading Gladys, you have inspired me to write about my Welsh grandmother. Merci!
Delightful 🙂
Merci beaucoup! We do enjoy it here! 🙂