The Saveurs Nouvelle-Aquitaine competition, organized by the Food Agency, rewards the best regional products, classified by product family.
The day of distinction for the “Beehive products – honey” category took place on Friday November 15 in Haute-Vienne, at the initiative of the Beekeeping Development Association.
Woody, flowery, with menthol notes
Gaël Penichon, beekeeper at Rucher de Vignerie in Saint-Laurent-sur-Gorre, was distinguished by a new award, that of the Saveur d'Or, for his honey produced in 2024. Woody, flowery, with menthol notes due to foraging on lime flowers; These are the comments reserved for this honey with its atypical taste.
With 8 medals in 5 years (3 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze), the regional prize list for this local honey has grown over the years. And the National Agricultural Show in February 2025 is a next step, the Vignerie apiary being registered in the “summer honeydew” category.
The operation today consists of 120 hives, located in Saint-Laurent-sur-Gorre and surrounding communities. Gaël highlights the important role of his farmer neighbors, whom he thanks for their maintenance of honey meadows, which are the pasture of bees. “Good honey is based on good biodiversity. »
The passion for bees intact
We cannot fail to mention the difficulties that beekeepers encounter today: the drop in production linked to bad weather, the complicated adaptation of bees to climate change, the cost of feeding products or disease treatment products, or non-compensation for losses. However, the passion for bees remains intact, and working elsewhere, our beekeeper's weeks are busy.
A new World Bee Day will take place in 2025, still on May 20, in recognition of the crucial role of these pollinating insects in preserving the planet.
