Harrowed by tractor between the rows and hoed by hand between the vines
I have just returned from a three day visit to Macedonia, where the use of herbicides appears to be limited, although none of the eight leading wineries I visited is organic. Where herbicides are used then it is mainly between the vines. It is true that labour is cheap in Macedonia, so hand hoeing is possible and the heat of the summer will kill off much of the vegetation. However, the vineyards are a pleasure to visit and those from Touraine (classified patrimoine mondial) are a sad contrast. Unfortunately blitzed vineyards are all too common in France.
The photos suffice!
Les 5 du Vin 
Nice comparison, Jim.
Your use of the words ‘hoeing’ and « life & death » made me think of an old Neil Young song, Thrasher. No connection with wine, it’s only folk & roll but I like it.
« Where the vulture glides descending
On an asphalt highway bending
Thru libraries and museums, galaxies and stars
Down the windy halls of friendship
To the rose clipped by the bullwhip
The motel of lost companions
Waits with heated pool and air-conditioned bar.
But me I’m not stopping there,
Got my own row left to hoe
Just another line in the field of time
When the thrashers comes, I’ll be stuck in the sun
Like the dinosaurs in shrines
But I’ll know the time has come
To give what’s mine. »
I just wanted to share
J’aimeJ’aime
Le choc des photos encore ! Très parlant Mister Chairman.
J’aimeJ’aime
To repeat the clichéd phrase: a picture is worth a thousand words! (I hope several Loire vignerons see this). Thanks Jim!
J’aimeJ’aime