I am one day out of Bulgaria and I already miss it. Let me tell you first and foremost: I love Bulgaria, I love Bulgarian wine (what I tried of it), I love Bulgarian people (even though they don’t like each other). I want to live and die in Bulgaria! But how did this happen and what did I experience?
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 |  Plovdiv, Bulgarien |
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The wine estate Brühler Hof, run by the Müller family, is a Rheinhessen wine institution. In 1989, when Hans-Peter Müller introduced organic production methods other wine makers didn’t even think about organic wine growing, not even in their wildest dreams. But not here. Organic growing is the family’s top priority. You can see this in the vineyard where no chemicals are used and everything is done by hand. Herbs are planted in the middle of the vines to deter insects, for the same purpose pheromones are used instead of chemical aids.
Working the vineyard at more than 30 degrees.
But also the production process is organized in accordance with ecological and sustainable standards. Solar power is used as the main energy generator and many other energy recycling measures are taken. Continue reading
After working in Alsace and Rheinhessen, the third stop on my wine around the globe tour is Domaine des Enfants, in Maury close to Perpignan. The wine growing region is called Roussillion and is part of France’s biggest wine growing region Languedoc-Rousillion.
The domaine is run by Swiss Marcel Bühler and his American wife Carrie Sumner. I have the opportunity to stay two weeks at the domaine and get involved in various tasks. As it turns out, these two weeks cover pretty much all steps from picking the grapes to nearly bottling the wine. Follow me and learn what happens at these various stages and how juice turns to wine.
Welcome to the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée Maury .
I arrive pretty much on time for the harvest of the white grapes. There is an anxiety and excitement to be felt about when exactly to start harvesting the white grapes. Marcel and Carrie are discussing it frequently, checking the weather, checking the ripeness of the fruit, checking the moon. Why the moon? Because they follow biodynamic principles and pick fruit on fruit days of the moon calender. Continue reading
You want a wine experience that not only excites your taste buds but also your whole body? Even while you’re asleep? Then this wine accommodation is the place for you.
Let me tell you first: I am totally overwhelmed by the abundance of wine in South of France and now understand, because I have seen it for myself, why France is the biggest wine producing nation on the globe. I am currently in South of France, in the wine growing region of Languedoc, and wherever I look there are grapes. You cannot not see grapes, you know what I mean?
Red wine selection at Chateau Faugergues
Three reasons for visiting the Chateau
When I arrive at the airport of Montpellier and miss the bus shuttle into the city I grab some leaflets from the tourist information and, immediately, immerse myself into the world of wine. I actually suffer from an immediate shortness of breath by the sight of all the wine estates in the leaflets. I only have a couple of days in South of France before heading to work on the vineyard! I will never get to see even a tiny percentage of all the caves! What shall I do? I can’t stay longer! Or can I? It takes me a while to come back to normal breath, to remind myself that I am on holidays and that I shouldn’t stress about the abundance of possibilities but rather take responsible action and try to make a decicion. So I do. I choose to visit Chateau de Flaugergues for three reasons. a) I have never been to a Chateau, b) it is in the city of Montpellier, c) they mention free wine tastings on their website. I admit not the most wine connaisseur type of reasons but good enough for me. And looking back at my time at the Chateau, I must say: It was well worth it. Read on to find out why! Continue reading