Pique-nique chez le Vigneron: 23rd-25th May

We have just got home from one of the most enjoyable days we've spent in France!

This weekend is the annual "Pique-nique chez le Vigneron".  The basic idea of this is for people to take along a picnic to their participating Domaine of choice,  where wine to accompany the picnic is supplied free and very often there are other activities to enjoy.

Our Domaine of choice was based simply on  travelling distance for all parties: La Domaine de la Mariniere, near Panzoult. 

And it proved to be an excellent choice!

The day started with a walk round the vineyard led by, Boris, the grandson of the owner.

We learnt about pest control, the problems posed by hares, deer and wild boar and so much more about the grapes which produce wine under the appellation d'origine contrôlée de Chinon.

Half way round we were treated to a little wayside snack of cheese, pate, bread and of course, wine....

Someone's enjoying the first tipple of the day.. (There were many more to come!) 

And what a fantastic view to enjoy whilst partaking in the above!

Returning to the house, picnic tables were already being set out under the shade of the trees..

Bit by bit the tables were filled...

and along with the food, the wine flowed freely!

Very freely...

We sampled bottles from 2004, 2012,  2013, and 2014 plus eau de vie... Gaynor has just a few of her glasses lined up in order..... she thinks!

We were on the table with the family, so there was plenty of banter...

The bottle of water we'd brought (shown in the above photo) provoked derision from Monsieur, who asked if we'd brought it to wash our hands!!

And just when we thought we couldn't eat another morsel, Madame came round offering flan - huge slices, too!

Well that was only half of it...  
We'll save the rest for tomorrow!! 

Our thanks for this wonderful day must go to Jim Budd, as without his  blog, http://jimsloire.blogspot.fr/2015/05/pique-nique-chez-le-vigneron-23rd-25th.html we wouldn't have known about the event at all!