flowers and vines in Lavaux - january 2016

this autumn some of the grape vine leaves turned a beautiful red and orange

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galanthus nivalis

​first bulbs appearing

snow drops  (galanthus)

pushing through the earth despite their delicate  flowers

some later  blooming bulbs (like narcissus) have appeared as well due to the warm weather

try to protect them with leaves as frost is coming
​
if they bloom, they will not do that again in march, april...

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chasselas leaves 'only' turn yellow

​which might seem less pretty, but if you see fields and fields of golden  yellow in autumn sun, you might change your  mind ...

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vineyards of Lavaux (above Aran), october 2015

hamamelis intermedia 'diane'

plants that remind you that nature is not sleeping:

blooming witch hazel (hamamelis)

usually with yellow flowers but also in orange or almost red
​
 no leaves, just branches and fringy blooms

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hellebore
(helleborus orientalis)

is the quintessential bloomer for winter

in- or outdoors, in pots or in borders

to be enjoyed for a long time

​in snow white to deep purple and light green​
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our vineyard:
metal stakes have been installed to help guide the grapevines during their growth next summer
​
only the upper wires need to be put on... pulling the wire tight and straight...

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grape harvest 2015 in Vaud:
summer drought has resulted in grapes much smaller but full of sugar, acids and aroma

the average sugar level in chasselas must was measured at 84.7 degrees oechsle 

this should result in some very nice wines!

​however the whole harvest was smaller, about 6 million liters less than the average harvest of the previous ten years...
​(source: Le Régional of 13 January 2016)

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