Newsletter: Autumn is arriving...
29th August 2009
Well, September in Azé has been very busy with the grape harvest. It started early this year
as we've had such a good summer and all indications are that this is going to be a superb year
for wine quality, some say it's on par with that of 2003, which is very exciting!
Stock up!
So for all of you wine guzzlers out there, you need to clear a space in your diaries for next year to come over here and buy some stock for either drinking or storing away. With the Beaujolais nouveau being launched on November 19th 2009, again predicted to be an exceptional year for this wine.
Winter Special Offer
To help you discover the wonders of Beaujolais nouveau we are offering our guests a 'special Beaujolais offer' for November and up to 15th December 2009 – stay for 2 nights and get a 50% discount on the second night! That should help towards a couple of bottles!!
The weather is still good
The weather here has been lovely, average temperatures for this month have been around 24-
25C so we've still been eating outside at lunchtime. Not much rain either, so we've been really
lucky. We are just hoping that it stays into October, as in the past Octobers out here have
been so warm and it's a nice way to ease into winter. The leaves are starting to turn and
drop from the trees, so Autumn has started to let us know it's on the way but with
temperatures like this it's only a gentle nudge at the moment.
Special Visitor
We had a visit from Vicky and Steve and little Rowan , our new addition to the family. It's
been so lovely to have them here, we been out for walks with the dogs in the vineyards and
sat in the courtyard and gone to visit Challon and show them the sights. It seems strange to
have a baby around again but he's such a happy little boy he's no trouble at all.
The work still continues on the house...
We've started work on the fourth bedroom so next year we will have an extra room for our guests to use. We will use the quieter period between now and Easter to also do some decorating and maintenance.
Also, the garden needs quite a bit of work so now the weather is cooler we can get out there and prepare it for the winter.
Now that things have quietened down for us we are able to take some time out and go and see some places we haven't managed to visit yet, these photos were taken in the grounds of Château de Dreé on a lovely sunny September afternoon.
We are looking forward to all our visitors coming out to see us over the next couple of months – as during the summer we have not been able to see any family or friends. Christmas is already organised with various members of the family staying with us so it will be a big turkey for us this year!!
Don't forget we are open all year round – so if you are thinking of skiing or a winter break down this way and need an overnight stop on your way there or back, then give us a ring. Why not think about staying over for an extra night with us and stocking up on some wine for Christmas and visiting some of the local historic sights?
Local Events
If you are thinking of a visit, why not take a look at the events section and find out what is going on in this area - at the time of your proposed trip. There is something for everyone in this area - so it wouldn't be too hard to find that something that interests you.
Local customs
We've been made to feel so welcome by the locals in Azé, it takes twice as long to get down to the village as everyone here stops to say hello, with either a kiss or a shake of the hands. It's part of everyday life to be so polite and friendly and we are looking forward to the annual May feast for our commune, where meeting and greeting everybody takes so long but is so pleasant you don't mind. The food is great and conversation is a challenge, you take your own plate, cutlery and glasses but our friends and neighbours have helped us fit in so we don't feel too uneasy at this unusual event.
