Wines: a major competition in the Pyrenean vineyards

In Ponteilla (Pyrénées-Orientales), François is preparing to play at home and does not intend to leave anything to chance. To each candidate his row, allocated by drawing lots. In total, about twenty porcini mushrooms prune, respecting the instructions given in advance by the owner. “First I cut the excess, then I’ll make the heads“, explains François. Gestures scrutinized by a supporter, his former boss and friend. He was himself a candidate during the first edition in 1972.

Rules that vary

Less than an hour later, the members of the jury are responsible for evaluating the result according to a common grid, but not always unanimous. “It’s not an exact science, because there are a lot of mixtures between tradition, new schools, vines all different from each other“, explains Hervé Philippe, coordinator of the jury. After deliberations, it is the dean of the competition who will have won the title. For the unsuccessful candidates remains the essential: conviviality around a shared pride.