The Dolmen des Fades is an interesting but little known ancient burial site dating from 5000 years ago. Signage is virtually non existent so it can be difficult to find.
Set on top of a wooded hilltop a few kilometers outside of Olonzac it is a peaceful spot with an aura about it.
Occasionally an art installation appears on same the hill just below the dolman. This recent one consists of wrapping the trees in brilliant colored cloth and hanging fabric between them. Earlier this year I arrived there to find stones, not the dolman itself, wrapped in tin foil. I found that a little odd but it did make me wonder why. Perhaps that was the only purpose.

I was asked to tell the story about the best dog in Olonzac. Arlo is her name and I found her abandoned in the hills to the north of Olonzac several years ago.
A mad Russian, Oleg, told me of a hidden waterfall and pool to swim in hidden in a gorge. My daughter and son and I set off to find it. This entailed driving down vineyard tracks and a hike of a few kilometers to this beautiful spot.
After spending an afternoon there with a picnic and swimming we were leaving as we lost the light. My son spotted movement in tall grass by the pool and alerted us that he thought a snake was approaching. It was not a snake but a tiny puppy that fit one hand. After waiting and calling out for half an hour Arlo left with us leading the way to the car.
The next day she was at the Vet's who said she's a 6 or 7 week old border collie and likely abandoned as the runt of the litter. She was far too young to be separated from her mother.
Arlo is very well known in Olonzac as the friendly, stick chasing dog with boundless energy.

Saturday night and Sunday afternoon was the wine and food tasting event in Homps, "Tastes of the Minervois", which is 2 kilometers from Olonzac on the banks of the Canal de Midi. I tried steak, fish, fois gras and chicken dishes from the stall of a 3 star Michelin chef. Extremely good!
The wines were whites, roses and reds and ranged from sweet to very strong reds. It was a real tasting with just a thimbleful given.
Lots of people in attendance and with a play area for the children, bands playing, great food and wine I think everyone enjoyed it.

Looking for the harvest

I went in search of the grape harvest this week. The whites are coming in but in the Minervois valley the reds predominate. While the harvest has started and  I found both machine and hand picking underway the weather has been cooler the past few days which seems to be slowing it down.
With a bit of cloud and temperatures in the mid twenties currently, along with cooler nights, next week should bring on the frenzy of picking. The juice will run in the streets.
Tonight is an an event with 50 local producers giving tastings of their wines along the Canal de Midi.
I'll look for some wines that I've not tried before. The variety should be overwhelming.

 

Olonzac's municipal park

Olonzac has a fine municipal park with boules courts, tennis courts, a playground, swan ponds and
specimen trees. Once part of the grounds of one of the grand houses of the 19th century it was obtained by the town in lieu of taxes a hundred years ago. It is beautifully maintained by the Marie and has it's own greenhouse for seedlings.
Jardin de Charlotte is in the grounds of another, and larger, of Olonzac's grand houses. At one time there were ponds, fountains and an arboretum on this property too.
This week I'll post pictures of the grape harvest. If you enjoy the blog consider telling others about it and see more of this beautiful region of France

Another great meal last night at Auberge d'ecole in St. Jean de Minervois. There were 5 of us there for a very dinner with the friendly hosts. I've been told the best cassoulet in the region is made by Madame. It's a hardy dish which I personally think is best eaten in the winter.
My choice last night was beef cheeks. Very tender, tasty and cooked perfectly.
St Jean de Minervois is best known for Muscat wine. Fortified and either sweet or dry it's a good apero before the meal. Another wonderful warm evening in the Minervois.

Summer at Jardin de Charlotte

We had a good summer party at Jardin de Charlotte with a local classic rock band called Catharock providing the music.
There were about 75 people invited who brought things to nibble on with a section of local wines.
Friends and neighbors enjoyed themselves while sitting on the lawn, chatting and enjoying the music. The weather was perfect for it being warm and without a breath of wind.
There is already talk of doing something similar during the Christmas season in the grand halls of the Maison de Maitre.