At last it feels as if Spring has arrived and in the vineyards, things are moving quickly.
Many buds have burst now and are past the woolly bud stage (see picture taken in the Noizay vineyards a couple of days ago).
We just have to hope there are no frosty days between now and the end of May. Burners were lit in Saumur Champigny, Anjou and over the other side of the river in Montlouis sur Loire last week.
Loads of us have courgettes coming out of our ears at the moment so I thought I’d pass on this super easy recipe for courgette and chickpea fritters.
A scrumptious end to a wonderful Sunday lunch in the garden with local friends here in the Loire yesterday. Layers of freshly cut new season’s strawberries, crushed meringue, marscapone, rosewater, pomegranate seeds and a lovely quenelle of fresh strawberry sorbet all dusted with rose petals.
5th generation winemakers, Xavier and Geraldine Cailleau at Chateau de Bois Brinçon make an eclectic range of wines of impressive quality in the heart of Anjou close to the delightful village of Blaison-Gohier just 10 minutes from us here at le tasting room.
I’m very happy to share a cheese that we have never tasted before. Tommes aux fleurs. A semi hard cheese covered with pressed flowers.
Straight back to work – the first thing to do was to take a walk around the vineyards here to see the state of play.
The large red table that gives its name to the domaine, nestles among the ancient vines jostling alongside fruit trees and wild flowers, herbs and vegetables.
