Happy Birthday to the Cave La Malepère

It has been very interesting living in a village where most of the inhabitants are employed in the wine industry either the growing, making or selling of wine. Years ago wine was made by individual wine growers or small domains around the village but 60 years ago this all changed and the Co-operative, La Cave la Malepère was formed.

To celebrate this anniversary, the Cave had had an open day. All during the day, amongst many other attractions, there were donkey rides for the children, cart rides around the village, wine tasting (bien sûr), a vide grenier, old and new machinery and tours around the cave and the chai or wine storage. The latter was most interesting. One of the vignerons explained the stages of the making of the wine from the arrival of the grapes all the way though to the finished product.

Waiting for customers

Having a rest before finishing the ploughing between the vines

Casks full of the Révolution Cabardès Wine produced in Arzens

Like all good French events, it wasn't complete without food. There was a lunch for those who wanted at 12 o’clock. We decided to go to the evening repas, which as all meals we have been to in Arzens, was excellent. There were aperitifs before the meal then when the tables were ready everyone sat down to eat. It was lovely being out in the evening sunshine though the wind was quite chilling. The President gave a short speech about how the Co-operative was started, then the food was served. We had six courses washed down with some superb wines. Whilst we ate, we listened to a variety of singers including Geoffrey Not.

Ronde du Malepère

Every year the Malepère region celebrates the harvest of the wine with a 2 day fête. Each year the location changes and this time it was held in the neighbouring village of Alairac. The forecast for the day hadn’t been good but we woke up to blue skies and a gentle wind, it was beautiful.

Once we got to Alairac we paid €5 for our glass which entitled us to taste wines from all the producers that had come to the festival. We had bought some of the wines at the local caves or Supermarkets but this tasting session means that we can sample some of the more unusual wines of the region (and very nice they were too!) Our cave from the village has produced a very good Primeur this harvest. We tasted (and bought) a very good red wine that is produced by our doctor and his wife.

After speeches and the giving of prizes, they announced that the apéros were available. As usual, there was a rush for the bottles and charcuterie which had been spread on the table. There was no need to hurry as the wine and food kept coming. Whilst we were eating and drinking, we were entertained by bandas. Some people even danced to the music.

As well as les caveaux, there were stalls selling a variety of local fare. There was also a vide grenier all around the streets, vintage cars, bandas were playing around the town and the whole place was bustling. It was great.

C'est La Rentrée

As in the UK, most of the shops in France have been selling things ready for return to school this week. In France they don’t concentrate too much on clothing, as most children here do not to wear school uniforms. The shelves are mainly stacked with stationary, pencils cases and a range of satchels. At the end of the term in July, all students were provided with a list if things that they must buy for the next school year. These include varieties of file paper, stationary, mathematical equipment, calculators and even textbooks. During the holiday the aisles have been full of adults and children, lists in hand, buying essentials for the coming term.

Not only is it La Rentrée for the students but for French life generally. The papers are full of adverts to encourage memberships at gyms in order to begin a keep-fit regime or reminding people that it is time to get things serviced such as boilers and central heating ready for the winter. We even had a phone call from our chimney sweep organizing a time to visit.

Another sign (or sound) that the summer is coming to a close is being woken up in the early hours by tractors and wine harvesting machinery going along the road. I believe that the Chardonnay grapes are collected before the sun gets on them so that the quality isn’t spoilt. They are also picking other varieties as I can hear the apparatus which checks each tractor load of grapes for its strength. It won’t be long before the smell of the crushed grapes permeates the village. I am looking forward to sampling this year’s wine next month!