Vendanges-Condrieu-2006

Taking part in the Vendanges - Condrieu 2006

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Here is what I experienced dans les vignes of Stéphane Otheguy. Stéphane is a wine grower who produces some excellent Condrieu and Côte-Rôtie, two renowned appellations of the Côtes du Rhône vinyard. Passionate about his job, he is endowed with a deep sense of respect for the soil, inducing him to rely exclusively on methods of organic agriculture.

We are in the motherland of the Viognier grape which, here in this very spot, gives of its very best and produces a remarkable white wine.

Stéphane's vines dominate the road which leads to the medieval village of Maleval. The castle, on top of it, is for sale... together with the title ! If you're interested...

My aristocratic hand and a nicely shaped bunch of grapes

And here is the team (all volunteers like me) enjoying a well deserved casse-croûte (snack). The 'chubby' good humoured man wearing a white tee-shirt is Stéphane. As you can see, the atmosphere was particularly friendly.


A member of the team whose long white marxist beard I particularly fancy.	The same man sorting grapes in a bunch and getting rid of the few bad ones. A meticulous job necessary for the wine to reach excellence.	And again...	The few brownish wrinkled grapes in this bunch are by no means, as one would tend to believe, rotten. They are touched by a microscopic mushroom which accelerates the process of dessiccation, increasing henceforth the percentage of sugar. It is what we call la pourriture noble (noble rot) which is hignly desired in some appellations producing sweet wines such as the Sauterne (Château d'Yquem).


Another vendangeur.	Stéphane's father with Maleval in the background.	I believe Stéphane's father was a renowned horse riding instructor, travelling a lot around the world for his job. Don't know if he has retired. I should have asked.	Anyway, he is very nice, very open-minded. From time to time he gives a helping hand to his ungrateful son...


We know the grape is ripe when it turns brown and goldish.	No more than four bunches for each vine. In this manner, the juice is dense and makes well-balanced quality wines.


We are in the motherland of the Viognier grape which, here in this very spot, gives of its very best and produces a remarkable white wine.	Stéphane's vines dominate the road which leads to the medieval village of Maleval. The castle, on top of it, is for sale... together with the title ! If you're interested...	My aristocratic hand and a nicely shaped bunch of grapes	And here is the team (all volunteers like me) enjoying a well deserved casse-croûte (snack). The 'chubby' good humoured man wearing a white tee-shirt is Stéphane. As you can see, the atmosphere was particularly friendly.