This field was a vineyard parcel a year or so ago. The vines were apparently old and were dug up. The land was left fallow and, while there are some grape vines coming back up from roots, the field has filled in with wildflowers and grasses. I assume that at some point in the near future, the parcel will be plowed up again and replanted with new grapes.
A former vineyard parcel out near where the dirt road ends. You can see active vineyards in the distance.
There's a lot of that going on around us right now. We suspect that, in addition to removing old and past-their-prime grape vines, the growers are replanting with grapes that fit in to the relatively new Touraine-Chenonceaux appellation. The white wines with that label are 100% sauvignon; the reds are a blend of cabernet franc and côt (known in other regions as malbec).
Is it possible that the once the vineyard was stripped of vines it was sowed with a cover crop of wildflower/weeds/grasses to prevent soil loss? Or am I missing something here? Do the growers fight these same weeds on a regular basis? I am only asking because I find it amazing that soil that was disturbed by the stripping of the vines contained so many weeds, wildflowers and grasses. Of course I understand that some vegetation thrives in drought conditions. Over the years have you noticed other instances of this when vineyards are stripped and left fallow? Haha! I sure am a pesky guy from Ohio and you are very kind to put up with my inquiring mind.
ReplyDeleteThe field looks very lush now.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I like the Granville window and door!
ReplyDeletewoody, the wildflowers and other weeds in the vineyard are always there. They're more visible these days because growers have stopped using herbicides. Now they mow or plow to keep the weeds down.
ReplyDeletemitch, it does, even in this drought. Imagine how it would be with frequent rain!
judy, :)