Use of weedkiller@Château de Saumur

The Syndicat of Saumur-Champigny producers is proud to be championing biodiversity:

'Le vignoble de Saumur Champigny est la première Appellation Contrôlée à s’être engagée dans un programme de biodiversité sur l’ensemble de son territoire. Les viticulteurs se sont unis pour implanter un réseau de Zones écologiques Réservoirs, à travers les neuf communes de l’appellation. Les Zones Ecologiques Réservoirs ou ZER sont des espaces « non cultivés », sans apports de pesticides et de fertilisants (haies, abords enherbées, murets…).' See here.

Unfortunately they appear not to have told La Ville de Saumur, who I gather look after the vines right of the Château beside the parking where many thousands of visitors stop during a year. Here on strips close to the vines weedkiller has been used as the grass has that tell-tale agent orange colour. I hope the Syndicat will point out to La Ville that while they may think that using weedkiller makes the vines look neat and tidy, it is counter to the message of biodiversity that the local producers are trying to promote.

Vineyards in Saint-Georges-sur-Cher

The fashionable colour for vineyards blitzed with weedkiller (desherbage total) appears to be this shade of rusty pink. Less virulent in colour than last year's agent orange, visitors to the Loire: UNESCO World Heritage may find this year shade more restful on the eyes.

Attractively pink...

A touch of our old friend – Agent Orange

Not sure whether Agent Orange is the next stage beyond rusty pink or whether there has been a special offer this year on another weedkiller product.

Report now finished on visit to recent visit to Clos Roche Blanche and Didier Barouillet's proposals on what products and practices ought to be banned if they want to have the appellation contrôlée.