a new wine year

Grape harvest time is traditionally the moment of the year where the wine producers encourage their clients to stock up their wine cellar.

Let me tell you that having a wine cellar is the easy bit, having a full cellar is completely different.  It requires regular and methodical buying, 'laying down' of bottles, self restraint and generosity.

You have to know your wines, which one should be drunk young, which is better to rest for a decade or two.

Which one to open for really special occasions, in the company of friends who understand what they are drinking.  Sharing a good wine is not about impressing others, simply about shared pleasure.

In the same way in France, a decent wine cellar is not only for the über wealthy.  Simply a part of good French culture. Getting to know the wine producers, buying good wines young and intelligently, holding on to them and enjoying them at maturity.

Taking pleasure in the small details of everyday life.

All pictures thanks to Google images