The saucers are full

Sounds like a secret pass word doesn't it?  Well, in reality, it's Matt's gauge of whether or not we got much rain.  This morning Matt came in and triumphantly announced,  "the saucers are full."  Of course, I knew what he was talking about, but my sister Molly just stared at him with a blank look.   I know, it's not that interesting to most people to know it's raining here in the Southern Rhône, but we're ecstatic!  As with the past two years, we are in desperate need of rain again this year.  We are well below the average annual rain falls yet again, so some gray, rainy weather is welcomed!  I am supposed to be out there pruning right now, as we are in the end of the "Northern Planting Time" which is when we prune and do other vineyard work according to the biodynamic calendar.   It's ok though, since  Molly and my parents are here to do some wedding planning.  Molly is getting married here in April and she has decided to have the ceremony at the medieval Saint Caprais Chapel. It is situated in the middle of the vineyards of Castillon du Gard, where our vineyards are located too (though the chapel isn't in the middle of our vineyards, just nearby.)  The green and white marble tabel dates from the 13th century, and the altar from the 14th.  It's quite impressive and a very romantic setting for a wedding.  The reception will be up in the village of Castillon, so we have lots of fun planning to do!  Here are some pictures we took of the roman chapel and it's surroundings.  I think it will be a very special event and I imagine large quantities of La Gramière will be consumed throughout the week!

Comments

[James]

I had to laugh at the timing of your post about getting some rain. We're in the midst of our first serious storm of the season here in Northern California. However, our saucers aren't full... they've been blown across the yard and broken into pieces! The winds and horizontal rain have also blown down our back fence and one tree (so far). At least I'll have something to do once the storm passes.

Anyway, I've enjoyed following your blog over the last few months. Keep up the terrific work. I'm looking forward to picking up some of your wine next time I'm at Kermit Lynch.

-James

[Iris]

and not only the saucers! As I already wrote on my blog, at Lisson too, we were dancing with joy to have some rain, even if it creates some inconvenience when it comes down so heavily. We needed it for the sources and for the soil around here in the Languedoc, as much as you in the Rhône valley.

Have a good year 2008, may all this rain be transformed in excellent wines of La Gramière!

[Matthew Kling]

Yes, it's true, I do tend to use that phrase as a gauge of how much it has rained. Actually, the saucers don't get full until the dirt in the pot absorbs all of the water that it can hold, so when they are full, you know you've gotten a good rain!