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No vin ordinaire  ELAINE
SHERIDAN visits Les Vignerons Irlandais in the South of France where one
Co. Clare native has set up in the heart of wine-making country. Now he’s
looking for fellow countrymen to join the venture.
The South of France and its heaving vineyards have often been associated
with romantic living and idyllic lifestyles.
But for those of us living in Britain sipping a large glass of quality
wine made from local vines seems like another world away.
But not if you are one of the many Irish people who have invested in a
savvy scheme set up by Co. Clare-native Noel O’Loughlen in the heart
of the winemaking region.
And now Les Vignerons Irlandais (LVI) is looking for the Irish in Britain
to become part of the venture.
Since the Flight of the Earls in 1607 the Irish have had a profound influence
on winemaking in many parts of France when a number of Celtic families
married into or were connected with the Great Bordeaux wine houses.
And that influence still prevails in one of the most famous winemaking
regions in France today. For the past six years hundreds of Irish people
have invested in O’Loughlen’s vine ownership project.
Based in the renowned Languedoc region of France, Les Vignerons Irlandais
gives enthusiasts a new and unique way to purchase a row of vines and
be part of a growing trend for wine lovers.
And if wine is not your thing there is an opportunity to own your own
olive groves as well.
With over 200 members involved since its inception this novel venture
is creating a unique co-operative among ordinary people who want to be
part of the wine trade in some way or other. Commenting on the growing
number of investors that have come on board recently Noel maintains that
getting to see the beautiful French countryside and meeting like-minded
people is an added bonus.
He said: “It’s a good and healthy investment. It allows you
to own a piece of land.
“It gives you a place to visit and a chance to meet people of like
minds.
“As well as that it’s a profitable hobby that giv-es you an
opportunity to help a local community to keep going.”
The highlight of the wine-growing year is in October when Noel and his
team organise the Harvest Festival where everyone comes together to reap
the fruits of their labour.
Locals, field-workers, investors and their families gather together for
a weekend-long celebration of good food, fine wine and Celtic craic.
The event is so popular in the region that people travel for miles to
be part of a memorable weekend that grows in numbers each year.
The annual festival also brings a financial boost for businesses in the
area — particularly in the medieval town of Sauve where many of
the small shops and restaurants benefit from the influx of Irish people.
For those who want to visit the region and see the vineyard operations
first-hand there is seven newly-constructed luxury apartments that were
built close to LVI.
The building is a fantastic 19th century former hotel in the village of
Canaules that has been transformed into living quarters.
Facilities at LVI also allows for special wine courses to be run using
the technology and knowledge at hand for the pleasure of wine lovers.
The courses are run by professional winemakers from the area with food
demonstrations presented by a local chef also.
You can learn viticulture — the day-to-day work on the vine, Oenology
— the science of wine making and also how to appreciate wines at
different stages of maturity and understand the different tastes derived
from each grape varietal.
Experts will explain the art of matching food and wines and the use of
wines in making sauces and wine vinegars.
DONEGAL SEAWEED AND THE VINEYARD
Wine production takes place in a new, state-of-the-art cellar at St.
Jean de Serre located at the foothills of the Cevennes which is only 30
miles from the Mediterranean sea.
Each year over 300,000 bottles of fine wine are produced from the healthy
200 acres of sprawling vines.
And a total of eight wines of different blends and 25 varieties are available
to purchase — The Galway Bay label was the first offering to the
home market and is still the most popular type made at the plant.
With over 300 days of sunshine it is little wonder that Languedoc is France’s
largest wine-growing region representing more than one third of the country’s
total vineyard area.
But there’s more than one distinct Irish twist to this venture —
the grapes are organically grown using no additives whatsoever.
Liquid seaweed brought in from Donegal is used as a fertiliser which also
protects the vines during the hot summer months.
Noel said: “Being additive-free creates a constant struggle.
“Using the fertiliser helps us from the constant attack of mildew
and odium on the vines.
“The difference we are told by our customers is that drinking our
potent 14.5 per cent wines gets you drunk if that’s their desire
but it doesn’t leave them with a hangover the next day.” |
