This is La Joupatière. It’s a really really old acre of vineyard that we saved from being pulled up, and yes that’s me, trying to be as tall as that vine. It’s really tall.
Proof – we are both pretty much average height
Didier and I have wanted to have someone come and identify all of the grape varieties in la Joupatière for a while. Yesterday, it turns out, was the day.
We had a meeting with the Ampelograph – I know, new word for me too – with the grape variety man, yesterday. He looked like a cross between José Bové and Indiana Jones, gray mustache, leather hat and all.
Our meeting was scheduled at the vineyard at 2:30pm. It was over 100°F yesterday at 2:30. In a vineyard. With no shade. And no wind. I’ve never been to Egypt – but I think I can almost take the Indianna Jones reference one step further. Thankfully there were no snakes.
The Ampelograph was a really cool guy, who used lots of specific grape terms. When he was unsure, which was almost never, he marked “Inconnu” (unknown) on the lablel.
As it stands – the official variety count in La Jouparière is 13:
(I’ve photographed some of the weirder ones).
Grenache Noir
Carignan (several types / plusieurs sortes)
Morrastel Boucher
Chasselas
Mourvèdre
Terret Noir
Terret Gris
Terret Blanc
Olivette Blanche
Grand Noir de la Calmette
Unknown 1 / Inconnu 1
Unknown 2 / Inconnu 2
