Emptying 2011 Sauvignon Blanc grapes into the trailer

The 2011 vintage started at the CRB this afternoon despite the overnight rain and despite it being Friday – "work started on a Friday is never finished" is an old saying. The Sauvignon Blanc grapes looked good with rare traces of rot plus some affected by wasp stings which apparently produces vinegar and affected bunches need to be discarded.

"When we checked the maturity of the grapes they were at 11.5%-12% potential," said Catherine Roussel, "but the acidity levels are already low – 4.5. I'm happy if our Sauvignon Cuvée No2 is around 12%. I'm tired of Sauvignon at 14%, although the grapes for Cuvée No 5 will be a bit riper but No2 is for easy, refreshing drinking."

The team of pickers gathers for the off 

Catherine Roussel issuing instructions on what to pick and what not to ...

Two hod carriers – on right Laurent Saillard

Making a start

2011 Sauvignon Blanc (above and below)

Bucket of grapes 

Laurent sending a text, while waiting for the next load of grapes

Catherine watching grapes go into the trailer

Bunches building up in trailer

Dog's verdict on pickers and the 2011 vintage

2011 Gamay@ Clos Roche Blanche's block@La Tesnière

Quick visit yesterday afternoon to a few local vignerons (+ a vigneronne) in the Cher to get an idea of how things are shaping up and when picking is due to start.

Vincent Roussely (Clos Roussely, Angé) was putting in a last afternoon on the paperwork that threatens to submerge many producers. From today it will down to getting everything prepared for the harvest, which Vinent expects will start a week today. He's happy with his Sauvignon: a yield of around 35 hl/ha because of coulure during the flowering with 11.8-12% potential at present.

Vincent Roussely in his office keeping the paperwork at bay

Then we went onto La Tesnière (Pouillé*) to see Noëlla Morantin and Laurent Saillard. Both were very busy getting everything ready to start picking on Monday, although things could change depending on the weather. The Gamay and Chardonnay are currently at 10.5% potential.

On Friday the 2010 Terres Blanches (Chardonnay) and 2010 Chez Charles (Sauvignon) will be bottled making space for the new vintage. Both of the 2010s are looking promising.

Noëlla Morantin

Tomorrow afternoon we will be back in this neighbourhood for the start of the vintage at the Clos Roche Blanche. Unfortunately Friday's weather forecast isn't great – some thundery rain. Hopefully the forecast will be wrong or the pattern will change.

* I'm tempted to start referring to Pouillé-sur-Cher to differentiate it from Pouilly-sur-Loire but this may only add to the confusion.

More Gamay@La Tesnière

Laurent (left) during the harvest last September@Le Clos Roche Blanche

Fascinating account on Bertrand Celce's fine wine terroirs blog of Laurent Saillard's new life in the vineyards of the Cher Valley. Laurent used to be a restaurateur in New York and last year gave that life up to become a vigneron in Touraine. I met Laurent briefly last September during the harvest at the Clos Roche Blanche.