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second component: the climate
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The occidental position of our vines (at 40km
from the Pyrenean foothills and 100km from the sea) results in a mild
climate with ocean influence. The region benefits from lots of sunshine
and an average temperature of 24?C during the growing season. The annual
rainfall is substantial (1300mm).
There are showers during the winter and spring; in summer, there are
frequent storms, and sometimes violent hailstorms; the September rain
is not a particular problem for our late-harvested varieties.
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In contrast, in autumn the climate is very mild
and dry - some years it has even been described as an "Indian summer"
- with warm southerly winds from Spain: the "Vent Balaguer".
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Thanks to this almost "tropical" climate, the landscape
is very diverse: the region is principally dedicated to mixed farming
with many hectares of grassland for cattle breeding. This is interspersed
with fields of maize crops, various fruit trees and vegetables cultivated
on the outskirts of Pau, as well as vines on the most beautiful hill slopes……
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Proof of this semi-tropical climate is evident by
the numerous palm trees, banana trees (even if the bananas struggle to
ripen!), lemon and fig trees…and others, such as the mimosa which flower
in the snow against the magnificent Pyrenean backdrop……
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Welcome
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