Ultimate "boy's toy" ?

This year the grape harvest (vendange) has come about ten days early to our region, probably due to all the sunny weather in September. More prestigious vines are still picked by hand but most of our local stuff goes to the co-operative for use in cognac or pineau - a delicious fortified wine, served cold as an aperitif.

These machines are huge but very gentle as they ride over the vines, pulling off bunches of grapes and mashing them to a pulp. When we were first here I was offered a ride on one so I could take pictures... great fun but tricky holding the camera steady with one hand whilst I clung on for dear life!!