Le Pique-nique chez les Vignerons Indépendants...a good, if rather hot, day out.

Yesterday we spent the day over in Chançay in the heart of the Vouvray wine making country at the 'Domain Paris Père et fils' for a picnic hosted by the family - an event organised by our friend Gail. The concept is simple enough, you bring your own picnic and the winegrowers warmly open the doors of their estates to welcome you and provide the wines to accompany your meal in a very convivial atmosphere.

The day started with a greeting from Guillaume Paris (the 'fils') plus a coffee & cake! Once all the participants had assembled he led us up into his family's vineyards.

The idea is to give you some history of the family and introduce you to the many aspects of 'viniculture', or winegrowing. We have done these walks now many time so the walk, interesting as it was, proved a wee bit uncomfortable in the 30+ degree heat. Made bearable by the company of friends old and new.

Don't mind admitting that after around 4km in that heat the venue for lunch was on the horizon was a most welcome sight!

Our hosts were very generous with their wine and aperos and the groups picnic contributions were of the usual high quality. Unlike some years their stock was depleted somewhat by purchases from our group to remind us of another successful 'Pique-nique chez les Vignerons'.