This photograph was taken in Beaune in France. It is just south of Dijon. One of the characteristics of this French holiday region are the many old buildings that have colourful glazed tile roofs. Dijon has a few but the best example of this Burgundy style of architecture can be found in Beaune. The capital of Burgundy, Beaune boasts many treasures. It is a great place to visit or use as a stop over on the way down to the South of France. What stands out for me is the Hôtel-Dieu and its amazing multicoloured roof, covered in geometric glazed roof tiles. I tried to see the roof by walking around the outside but no you have to pay the entrance fee and go inside to the central court yard. It is glorious. It was a built after the hundred years war in 1443 as a hospital to care for sick and starving residents of the town. It is now a museum. You can still see the rooms and beds where patients received care. The building itself is a beautifully preserved Gothic masterpiece. The central courtyard is flanked by a wooden gallery. Burgundy's wine country has world-class vineyards and they surround Beaune. The city has several wine caves where visitors can walk around the dimly lit cellars and sample a variety of wines. There are so many great red and white wines to try. You can buy wines by the crate, box or by the bottle. Wine tasting is the best way of finding out what wine you like. Try before you buy. There are many holiday houses, gites, bed and breakfasts, motels and hotels in the region. There are even some campsites for those that like to camp or caravan. Beaune would be ideal for a relaxed city break.

The future of every vineyard depends on the carefully executed process of planting new vines. Owners, vineyard managers and winemakers must learn more about their vines and the microclimates found in their fields. Patience and constant tending is paramount, as it will be two long years before young vines begin to produce fruit - and at least three before that fruit can begin to be used in winemaking.

GRAFTING

In order to save time and space - two valuable commodities in winemaking - vineyards sometimes graft new vines onto a mature root, rather than starting an entirely new plant. With over-grafting, a new varietal can be grown from the rootstock of a different plant. As shown at left, the new grafted vine can begin producing fruit even in the first year. Plantings can include many grape line Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Pinot Noir, , Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Malbec.

Around the world, the most spectacular wines are blends of several types of grapes. The exact formulas of these blends are developed over many years of experimentation by top winemakers 

COMPOST

In a Vineyard, composting is an important part of the farming process, with compost developed on the premises. Composting provides a source of prime, rich soil and natural fertilizer. While more labor intensive, using compost allows vineyard managers to use far less chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, protecting the environment.  Extensive soil preparation, rich compost, careful cover cropping, and a consideration to wildlife and terrain are what make Vineyards stand out from more commercial farming methods

HARVESTING