Wednesday Languedoc Vine Report. #14 July 3rd

High winds have continued throughout this week in the vines. Then, on Sunday, the wind stopped and the temperature soared. Here’s Sunday’s photos in the vineyards:

Merlot vine
Mademoiselle Merlot

I’m looking for a change of colour soon in our chosen grapevine. Merlot grapes are thin-skinned and mature before other red varieties.

Merlot vine
another bunch of baby grapes

Meanwhile, in the Chardonnay field –

Chardonnay vine
Chardonnay beginning to plump

Vineyards are looking full of promise. Everywhere you walk, the fields are green and lush.

vines on the hill
looks like Paradise to me!

Around every corner, there’s another fine view of fine wines in the making.

vine in wind
wind blowing through the vines

And now that the temperatures have reached the magic number, cigales (cicadas) are singing in the trees and hedgerows. It’s the boys who do the singing – rattling their exoskeleton to attract the ladies. Here’s what they sound like: cigale song video

That’s one of the typical sounds of summer in Languedoc.

You hardly ever get to see cicadas while you’re out walking. Occasionally, they’ll come into your garden. Here’s what they look like:

cicada
cicada or in French cigale

Their life cycle is unusual. The nymphs spend many years underground before emerging to live a short life as an adult winged insect with one purpose: reproduction.

So, the boys sing like crazy as long as it’s warm enough. How they make the sound is interesting and if you’d like to know more about it there’s a website dedicated to all things cicada. Here’s a link:

http://www.cicadamania.com

And now some exciting news about next week’s post. Master of Wine, Juliet Bruce Jones has kindly agreed to answer a few questions about qualifying as Master of Wine and her life as a winegrower here in Languedoc. I can’t wait. It’s my first EXCLUSIVE. Wow!

Not to be missed. Don’t forget to subscribe at FOLLOW CELIA – you’ll get an email to remind you there’s a new post. Your email remains private.

See you next week,

Cheers!

 

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