Budding Grapevines.

Spring burst a few days ago, with the first warm days triggering the tight buds to open out from amongst last year's dark, tangled vine tendrils.

Set in the heart of these delicate, pink-tinged leaves are the tiny future grapes, whose growth I will track as these particular vines are just in front of my workplace!

At the heart of the Champagne region, Reims has a key position in the production of the sparkling wine of world-wide renown.

Unsurprisingly, there are numerous references to the place which champagne occupies - past and present - on the town architecture.

I love the way that you can lift your eyes up, and discover something that you hadn't noticed before!

There is no danger of these delicate, future grapes ever being used in the champagne process as they are growing in defiance of the pollution from the traffic that rolls past on a daily basis.

However they do make my day a little brighter. And then, of course, there is the wine itself...