It's raining hard today and getting cold, but despite the falling temperature and the occasional, terrifying bolt of lightening, men are out all over the valley rushing to bring in the last of the grapes. The usual leisurely pace of life here has a charged undercurrent as everyone races to complete the harvest before the real cold arrives. And this rain is a reminder of the need to hurry. Driving to Vaison-la-Romain, Vinsobres, Nyons, Gigondas, you must budget extra time because there will undoubtedly be a long line of cars following a giant harvester moving between fields. And little tractors in brilliant blue and green, looking like toys belonging to the children of giants, pull wagons loaded with shiny grapes. The life of this entire valley rests on those delicate purple pearls and everyone knows it. So if a few tractors slow you down on your way to work, it seems like a small price to pay.
The word is that the 2009 Cotes du Rhone will be good, but not great. Too dry. Too hot.
These pictures were shot on my bicycle ride a few days ago -- back when people were still stopping for lunch.
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