AMERSFOORT, The Netherlands, May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
Talking to your plants helps them to grow. However, according to Dutch winemaker residing in France Ilja Gort, singing to plants doesn't only help them grow, it makes them happy too. This is why this years' 'Vendanges Vertes', the summer-harvest during which excess grapes are removed from the vines, will be carried out by special singing pickers. Gort, who shocked the world 2 years ago by insuring his famous winesniffers nose for 5 million euros, is convinced that his wine will be of higher quality as a result of this.
Gort: "If we sing while picking, the grapes won't notice that their branches are being pruned. In this way we minimize stress for the plant and as a result the wine will taste smoother and deliciously sweet."
"The better we sing, the more tasty the wine will be. And what is more, people enjoy singing together too. A guaranteed win-win situation! And so we are organizing a "Château Sing-along", this summer at our wine castle in Bordeaux."
Gort is one of the most successful winemakers in France. His wines are winning gold medals every year and he has written several books about his French adventures. To make his Château Sing-along endeavour a success he goes to exceptional lengths: choir conductor Edwin Schimsheimer and his Steinway grand piano are being flown in from Amsterdam, there will be a recording unit, a lighting plan and a star-chef to look after the picking crew with enticing dinners.
In collaboration with Schimscheimer Gort, who in a previous lifetime worked as a composer, has written a number of 'wine chansons', especially for the occasion. On the final night of the harvest week, grape pickers-choir "Les Voix du Vin", as Gort has named his choir, will put on a performance for the entire village of Saint-Romain-La-Virvée, including the mayor and the 'Garde champêtre', the village policeman at Gort's wine castle, Château la Tulipe de la Garde.
"We are looking for people who can sing and who love sharing this with others. By no means do you have to be a professional singer and you don't need to be able to read music. Auditions are held through YouTube, and we welcome everyone who loves singing, working and wine."
The Château Sing-along will take place from 10-16 July in Saint-Romain-La-Virvée, France. Website: http://www.slurp.nu
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