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originally uploaded by ryanovineyards.

Sunday, we got to attend a local wine and everything festival held in Moussoulens.

Ampelography, the identification of vines based on visible characteristics, lends its name to the event because we love our winemakers here (at least when it’s time to party). The amazingly named festival, Les Ampelofolies, focuses on products of the vines ranging from fine wines to plonk to distilled press juice (anti-freeze).

But, at a glance, we see that Les Ampelofolies celebrates a whole lot of things that do not grow on vines. There’s a growing focus on truffles and other less pricey regional delectables. It’s really a celebration of all things smellable. A festival of the nose. Smell the terroir. Smell it!

And it’s fun. Oh is it fun! Eat all day. Like a carnival where everything is delicious and the vendors made everything themselves. There’s pros and amateurs. Volunteer firefighters selling home made cookies. Youngsters like my neighbors and I selling fine wine. Bands dressed as enormous insects.

And of course, like all French village fests, it is a celebration of the moustache.

Video for those who hate reading or just can’t get enough of the wine fest ambience.