On the left is a vineyard parcel near our house whose vines were dug up and burned last summer. The adjacent parcel, in the center of the photo, remains intact. If I remember correctly, the grapes on the left were white, while the intact parcel produces red grapes. I don't know why certain parcels are being dug up while others are spared. My working theory is that older, dying parcels are going, to eventually be replaced (and in some cases, not) by young vines and, possibly, by grapes that qualify for the "AOP (Appellation d'Origine Protégée) Touraine Chenonceaux" label.
The Touraine Chenonceax label is reserved for sauvignon (blanc) grapes. Other varieties grown in the same area such as chardonnay, cabernet, and gamay can be labelled simply "AOP Touraine." We'll see later this spring which parcels get replanted and which will remain fallow for another year.
It’s such a fascinating process and makes for some beautiful patterns throughout the year.
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