Vertical Tasting

And the rain fell. Yesterday we continued to get a soaking, which made the farmers worried, since everything in the fields is seriously ready to be picked. This is a very precarious time during the grape harvest, since if things don't get picked, there could be some devastating rot going on.
Bill & Brenda arrived later in the day without Brenda's luggage. Oops! We're hoping it will show up sometime soon.
Meanwhile, we hit the Nyons market this morning and Brenda was able to create a new small warddrobe.

The weather was dazzlingly spectacular today, so the market was very enjoyable.

Following market we drove down to the great wine towns of Gigondas, Seguret and Vacqueras looking for some lunch. Note to self: make sure you have a reservation before you head out. Most places were either closed or full, but we fortunately found a place in Gigondas with a great prix fixe.

Following a walk through Gigondas and some more wine tasting, we headed out to Seguret for a tasting at Mourchon. Everybody quite enjoyed the wine and the tasting with Walter and dog Henry.
Next we headed towards Cairanne and stopped at Rasteau for a tasting, before heading back to the ranch.

At the market today, we'd purchased a couple chickens and vats of potatoes for dinner. So, tonight the dinner was an easy prep. Before that however, we did a vertical tasting of three Bosquets des Papes Chateauneuf du Papes - 2007, 2005, 2001. It was quite interesting to note the metamorphosis that the wine goes through over the years. Of course, each year the blends would change, but the intent of the winemaker is generally to make a wine that tastes like what he has produced in the past.
Apparently, more rain is on the way, which will suck for everybody. C'est la France!