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FRANCE - Roussillon
Banyuls
Spread out on narrow and steep terraces, the Banyuls Appellation overhangs the Mediterranean sea.
More than two thousand years old, the vineyard is rooted in a stony schist soil and benefits from exceptional atmospheric conditions. Moreover, the rare stormy showers which water this exceptional land, still hand worked, are quickly evacuated by an unique and efficient system.
It is only after the fortification, a technique devised in 1285 by Arnau de Vilanova, which stops the fermentation, that the Banyuls wines get their Appellation and their seal of approval.
Côtes-du-Roussillon Villages
Domaine de Bila-Haut
The Roussillon history is complex and compelling, and has at times been quite violent. Terraces on stony soil, with a rich geological background and a climate that man has adopted for his crops. The Roussillon was bound to attract Michel Chapoutier’s attention. He decided to locate his domain at Latour de France. Black and brown schist to give the wine a solar touch. Gneiss for minerality and freshness. Combination of Limestone and chalk for strength and balance. Three varieties of grapes grow on the land covered by Domaine de BILA-HAUT. Syrah, with its savage aromas of scrub and spice. Grenache, so full of surprises. And Carignan, for mineral wines with crispy tannic notes. The “Vignes de BILA-HAUT” and the “Domaine de BILA-HAUT Occultum Lapidem” are the main expressions of this terroir. However, Michel Chapoutier wanted to obtain more via this site, to seize the quintessence. It took him six years of standing back, observing and analysing to give life to this precious and exceptional wine called “V.I.T.” which stands for “Visitare Interiore Terrae”. Precious by its blending. Grenache grapes from 70 year old vines, grown on a magnificent plot in the heart of the ‘Garrigue’ scrubland. Enthusiasm, richness and complexity. Then Syrah grapes, ripened slowly on vines grown on clayey limestone soil giving powerful, silky-smooth tannins, and blended with Syrah grapes grown on the company’s most beautiful schist based land. An elegant bouquet and a sophisticated flavour in the mouth. Also exceptional because it is bold, like the people who gave this land its identity. The story is going on in 2008 and is now taking place near the village of Lesquerde. There, the land is made of high limestone based cliffs and dry soils over which the “tramontane” wind blows... Then Michel Chapoutier’s interest for this region rises again and new wine is born: “L’esquerda”. This outstanding wine is mainly based on beautiful Syrah and Grenache grapes from the nicest granitic terroirs. “L’esquerda”, meaning “the fault in the rock” in Catalan, is the faithful expression of a personality, of the identity of a region. Another discovery by Michel Chapoutier.
Agly Brothers
In the middle of the 1990s an encounter engaged a new dialogue with the certainty that great things were possible. The Australian adventures of Maison M. Chapoutier was discussing his passionate interest in his exchanges with fellow winemaker, Ron Laughton. Very soon a key idea emerged : terroir. An almost revolutionary notion in Australia. The idea was not to cultivate but rather to accompany, in compliance with the rule of biodynamics, which allows the soil to express itself. They decided to give it a try.
Several years later the Heathcote vineyard, in Victoria, revealed La Pléïade. The first vintage produced by Michel & Corinne Chapoutier with Ron & Elva Laughton ; But the adventure was not going to stop there. The Agly Valley, Roussillon. An old plot of land, on a hillside. Rough, almost hostile. But Michel Chapoutier decided that it too could also generate wine. He was also keen on connecting Ron Laughton with the project, on behald of their friendship and to return the favour. So the two “brothers” combined Carignan, Grenache and Shiraz. In 2004 the first Agly Brothers vintage finally sealed the links between the two establishments, and at the same time, between the two hemispheres.
Rivesaltes
In 1972 this AOC (controlled appellation) wine brought together under the same label the previous Vins Doux Naturels wines (Natural muscatel wines), Rivesaltes, Côtes d'Agly and Côtes de Haut Roussillon, dating from 1936.
Both sweet and strongly perfumed, these wines earned aknowledgement at an early date.
Benoît XIII (1360), Jean Ier (1350) ..., are known to have been keen buyers of these wines.
Côtes-du-Roussillon
Domaine de Bila-Haut
The Roussillon history is complex and compelling, and has at times been quite violent. Terraces on stony soil, with a rich geological background and a climate that man has adopted for his crops. The Roussillon was bound to attract Michel Chapoutier’s attention. He decided to locate his domain at Latour de France. Black and brown schist to give the wine a solar touch. Gneiss for minerality and freshness. Combination of Limestone and chalk for strength and balance. Three varieties of grapes grow on the land covered by Domaine de BILA-HAUT. Syrah, with its savage aromas of scrub and spice. Grenache, so full of surprises. And Carignan, for mineral wines with crispy tannic notes. The “Vignes de BILA-HAUT” and the “Domaine de BILA-HAUT Occultum Lapidem” are the main expressions of this terroir.
Côtes-du-Roussillon
Côtes-du-Roussillon Villages
Côtes-du-Roussillon Villages
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The Maison M.Chapoutier
The House of Chapoutier is a winemaker and producer of the finest Rhône Valley appellations. From the Côte-Rôtie, through l'Hermitage, down to the Côtes du Rhône, our aim is to offer you the best portrait of the terroir.
M.Chapoutier School
The House of Chapoutier's School invites you to learn about wine in a different way. Take a look at the wine courses on offer, from wine tasting initiation to gastronomic dinners where the finest grand crus are showcased.
18, av Dr Paul Durand - B.P.38
26601 Tain Cedex - France
Tel. : +33 475 089 261
Fax : +33 475 089 636
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