Tonight we will eat the last of our 2018 pumpkins, stored in the cellar since October. Yesterday the frogs arrived and began courting like mad in the pond while high in the trees the Alpine woodland larks began their melodious courting calls.
Garden & nature
Book review: Roche et vin
This is a wonderful book that gathers up several scientific threads from several fields and makes them accessible to a lay public. The subject: how geology has formed the landscape that gave birth to Swiss vineyards and thus Swiss wines and the impact of all of this on contemporary wines.
Winespeak: vine body parts
It’s high season for pruning vines in Switzerland, the job grape growers say determines whether or not they will have the best possible grapes. I spent a chilly afternoon learning to prune vines.
Snowfall on the Rhone Valley
Vineyards the length of the upper Rhone in Valais were treated to a gentle snowfall Monday.
Fried winter sage, Fendant
Quickly stir-fried, sage leaves make a fun snack with a glass of well-chilled Valais Fendant, or you might try a Muscat, Païen or powerful Petite Arvine for stronger aromas.