Crush

It's strange not to be back in Switzerland this time of year. We missed the grape picking, and the fête des vendanges - a big party that happens after most of the work around the harvest wraps up - with lots of wine, fresh grape juice (so perishable and deliciously sweet) and a typical meal from the area where we lived. Every year it's the same thing - a papet vaudois (a cabbage leek dish that is sort of like soup) and saucisses aux choux (thick greasy sausage). And there's usually a really bad comedian on hand (with an accordion or a electronic keyboard or both) and dancing - lots of dancing. There is the Polish woman and an Italian couple who come every year and dance like you wouldn't believe at this party. Such a shame to miss it this time around.

A friend of ours orchestrated a little ersatz experience though - he found a place where they walk you through the wine-making process and even let you help a bit. H, with his roots in biochemistry, just loves this sort of thing. And it felt good to be back around the presses and barrels...and the smell of it all...Not quite as good as back at 'home', but not too shabby of a way to spend a Sunday afternoon, either. And it's officially hard not to smile when you are stirring a big vat wine in the works.