Chateau Pout 2018, the sommelier's choice!
I'm declaring 2018 to be the Year of the Shorts.
I have never seen so many shorts out and about. In Guernsey. In England. (I haven't travelled further than that!)
There's a fabulous swirling of shorts whenever I wander. Everyone seems to be getting their legs out this summer and I'm super-excited! Could be something to do with our fantastic summer, d'ya think 🏄🌴🏊🍦😆?
I'm also declaring 2018 the Year of the Grape.
I've discovered that my vine is oozing grapes this year.
Maybe something to do with our fantastic summer too?
I returned from holiday recently and within a few days I was outside sorting out the pergola, whose greenery in this sun has grown vigorously. Once I thinned down the invasive passion fruit and contained the exuberant wisteria, I could finally see my grapeage.
I'd been told over the years that grapevines need thinning but it was only when chatting to a gardener a few months ago that I finally GOT it! I'd not been thinning the right way and his guidance sounded so obvious, so I duh'ed myself!
You wait for the clusters to form then cut off all further stem a few inches from said cluster. Thus, all growth goes into the grape and not new leafage. Yeah, duh!
The stems then need tieing up to take the weight as the clusters grow. Yeah, super-duh!
So it was this beautious sight that I was looking up at in my previous post. Thinned grapevine, done proper!
To remind you, this was the summer growth I started with.
And last year's tidier pergola is probably where I need to get to.
I'm getting there.
The very old vine is primarily used for cover from the sun these days, but it's nice to see a few clusters of grapes too.
And the word on the grapevine is that it's going to be a good year for Chateau Pout !
Marvin Gaye
Do you have a grapevine in your garden?
How is your "Chateau" doing this summer?
I hear it's going to be a good year for Chateau Polly too!
A la perchoine.
Oh holy cow, now that's a grapevine! I can't believe how it has grown this summer. That pergola looks like the perfect place to sit and enjoy a glass of wine. So inviting and picturesque. Great advice you got and I know you're glad you followed it!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
xo,
Kellyann
Yes, there are some good things coming out of this summer and this baby has loved the dry heat. And this time of year the evenings call me out there. Pop over for a glass of wine this evening, it's beautiful out here !!! Hugs my lovely, x.
DeleteWow, I can´t believe how much the grapes have grown since I left 2 1/2 weeks ago!! I hope they will be sweet enough to consume when the time is right. Great that you now know how to treat them right! Chateau Pout, bonne chance!
ReplyDeleteYes, unbelievable eh Dutchie, and you should see them now! If this dry heat continues they may just be sweet enough come September. No olives from what I can see though but as you know, the figs'll be good soon. You need to pop back for the harvest! Hugs my sweet friend, x.
DeleteAs I said before Vine doing well after new poly roof put up, we have a Passion Fruit entwined around ours too.
ReplyDeleteOh Polly, you've got passion flower too! It's so vigorous eh? As seen in pic #8,I've had to yank and cut so much of it away to allow the grapes to get some sunlight. I'm sure you're pleased you put the new roof in this year, good luck with Chateau Polly 2018 !!! Hugs my sweet, x.
DeleteWow, that's fabulous! My step-dad used to grow grapes in a greenhouse, which he made wine with. Great to see Mary. Jacqui Mummabstylish
ReplyDeleteOh I'm well-jel, Jacqui! What was the wine like. My grapes would do better under glass but I like the leafy coverage, reminds me of a place I lived in Oporto.
DeleteHave a fabby week. X .