What does a winemaker in France actually do all day? Vigneron Jonathan Hesford explains what happens behind the cellar door and the daily decisions involved in making wine
‘Why this was my most challenging harvest as a winemaker in France’ Vigneron Jonathan Hesford gives us a behind-the-scenes account of drought, hail and unreliable pickers in his mission to make wine in the Roussillon
Why people in France also call Toussaint break ‘the potato holidays’ What children do during these holidays has radically changed Grape picking begins in Champagne amid growing shortage of workers French winemakers harvest grapes by night to escape heatwave ‘My candid experiences of hiring grape pickers in France’
Grape harvest begins earlier than ever in south France due to heat One producer says he always begin harvesting early, partly because of the location of his plot, but that climate change is also having an impact
When is the right time for grape picking in France? One of the most stressful and difficult decisions a vigneron or winemaker has to make is when is the right time to harvest their grapes, writes winemaker Jonathan Hesford
Too soon to assess impact of forest fire on French rosé harvest Dramatic images of the recent Var wildfires have led to fears of a bad harvest this year
Worst wine harvest for 45 years predicted due to bad weather The grape yield will be down by 24%-30%, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, but this will not necessarily lead to a rise in wine prices
Harvesting the health benefits of French birch sap in spring Have you spotted tubes attached to the trunks of birch trees recently? The season for collecting birch water - prized for its detoxifying properties - began earlier than usual this year
Where to buy the juiciest melons in France this summer Across France, you will see shoppers prodding and sniffing as they search for the perfect juicy melon. Connexion looks at the fruit’s history and meets a passionate producer.
A French test drive with a difference... Journalists are often offered the chance to test drive new cars but The Connexion's Brian McCulloch had a different opportunity - to get behind the wheel of a combine harvester in France. Here's his report...
French vineyards can now offer 'vendange vacations' Law change means winegrowers can offer grape-picking holidays, under certain conditions
Signs good for fine (and early) French wine crop Many wine-growing areas are predicting high-quality wines this year due to good weather conditions which have led to early harvests around France.
Tips on grape-picking work from one who has done it With some areas of France starting to pick grapes early this year, along with annual stories of a shortage of seasonal workers, the idea of picking grapes is interesting. Brian McCulloch has picked grapes for a couple of vendange seasons. If the idea interests you, (and you do not want to go on one of those holidays where you pay to pick grapes) here is what you should know… Grape expectations as harvests get under way Farmers offer free combine harvester trips Naturists harvest French vineyard grapes entirely nude
Winemakers blamed for grape thefts An estimated seven tonnes of grapes have been taken from vineyards in Bordeaux since mid-September Low wine harvest could damage economy, figures suggest ‘Catastrophic’ harvest for French olive oil Crowd-funding boost for frost-hit vignerons Apricot glut comes at wrong time for farms Budburst season gives clues for year ahead