Wine harvest in Provence

September / October is the time of the year for wine harvests in France. The picking time is crucial for the quality of wine. It has been a tricky time with so much sun and hot temperatures. Belle Provence Travels reports on their experiences in Provence.

The wine harvest in Provence is in full-swing and this past weekend we were lucky enough to witness a ceremonial “first-press” in the village of Le Beausett.

The village’s annual  Fête de Terroir, which showcases local products from the region, took place on Sunday and included villagers in period costume, folk dancing, and samples of freshly-pressed grape juice. Also featured were local wines, charcuterie (ham & salami), and regional desserts ranging from pâtes de fruits to calissons. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… these villagers really know how to party.

The grape harvest will continue through October with many opportunities to either take part in the process, or celebrate “the take”. For the time being, I think we’ll be doing more of the later, but if you’re in Provence, make sure to check out the website Routes des Vins de Provence (in French & English).

Thirty-three wine routes have been “mapped” to guide tourists through the vineyards of Provence. The routes include 350 wineries around the region and the site regularly advertises local festivals and tasting events.

More details and photos: It’s Harvest Time in Provence

Video: Hand Harvesting in Provence

Here we see the traditional, age-old method of picking grapes by hand. So many modern vineyards are switching to machine harvesting, but with 40 year old bush-vines like these, machine harvesting is just not an option.

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