Beaujolais Nouveau 2008

Yesterday Augustin saw in his first Beaujolais Nouveau and showing all the signs of a vigneron in the making, he was eager to participate in the fun.

Although for this year and for many years to come, it was only Mama et Papa Beaumont who sampled the wines.

Harvest 2008 ends

Havest 2008 was a little longer than usual and this week saw les vendanges draw to a close.

Here Gérald is busy cutting and collecting the last of this years grapes.

France says 'NO' to the proposed censorships

The past week has seen wine makers all over France protesting over the French Governments new proposal to restrict wine tastings at wine fairs & wine festivals, dégustations on their premises and restrictions on wine being offered free for promotional purposes.

If this new law is past France could possibly see an end to one of its longest traditions, sampling wine at a vineyard.

To date the vignerons are saying 'NO' to this censorship and due to their number and power we remain optimistic no change will be made.

75eme Fête des Vendanges, Montmarte, Paris

Sadly Augustin and I were unable to join Gérald at the Fête des Vendanges but we hope to be there next year.

Enjoy our collection of photos including Gérald with the Mayor of the 18e arrondissement and of Gérald providing wine tastings.

The Cottage 'Annie's House'

Summer 2008 saw a wonderful diversity of guests stay at 'Annie's House' from Australia, France, Germany, Ireland and UK.

Augustin thoroughly enjoyed all the additional attention he received and the new baby friends he made during their stays.

La Famille Beaumont would like to thank you all for making Summer 2008 so memorable.

Fête des Vendanges, Montmarte, Paris

Gérald will be returning to Montmarte, Paris at the end of this week in preparation for the 75th Fête des Vendanges.

A vibrant, colourful festival bringing together vignerons and artisans from all over France and an estimated 300,000 visitors over a long weekend.

Held in front of the beautiful Sacré Coeur the purpose of this fête is to celebrate the first cut of the grape vines in Montmarte, said to be some of the oldest vines to be found in France today!

Fêtes des Vendanges - 10th, 11th & 12th October 2008.

Les Vendanges 2008

Two weeks ago the grape picking harvest of 2008 got underway at the Domaine.

Keeping with tradition, the wine pressing started with the Chenin and Chardonnay grapes which will produce the sparkling Crémant de Loire wines.

Harvest over the next few days will concentrate on the picking of the Cabernet Franc grape, the pressing of which will be used for the rosé and sparkling rosé wines.

Since pressing began wine makers have noted a similarity between the 2008 and 2006 vintages.