Despite its iconic status, the Cayron plot (4.5 hectares) is something of a challenge! “It’s an exceptional terroir, but the vines are right at the limit of accessibility,” comments Nicolas Speranza, “with very steep slopes and a lot of work in proportion to the surface area. We grow vines on slopes that had been abandoned, as they never ripened. These late-ripening vines compensate for hot years, bringing significant freshness and elegance to the wines.”
The “banquettes” or mini terraces where vines flourish have been redesigned, and Grenache vines have been grafted using vine stock from massal selection (see opposite) to suit these extreme conditions. “We consider each and every vine individually,” adds Nicolas Speranza, “it’s extremely meticulous!” The first grapes are expected in two or three years.
Massal selection: guaranteeing the diversity of viticultural heritage
Unlike clonal selection, massal selection consists of removing buds from several individual vines and reproducing them through grafting. Whilst this technique increases costs by 60%, it enables the vines to increase their genetic diversity and protects them from any degeneration.
Rubrics
Découvrez plus d'articles...
The vineyard and wine cellar in winter
What happens in the world of wine during the winter period? After the hustle and bustle of autumn, the harvests and vinification process, comes winter, a season devoted to maturation and looking after the vines.
In 2018, we will continue to strive to be a Responsible Company!
In this new year, our wish to help build a world that respects both mankind and the environment is as strong as ever. This can be seen through the number of our projects for 2018 that are closely related to our convictions as a Responsible Winery. We’re delighted to be given the opportunity to tell you about them!
Discovering the art of pairing wine and chocolate
A morsel of white chocolate, Black Forest gâteau, pieces of stem ginger wrapped in chocolate, or Mexican chicken in chocolate sauce—all very appetising, but which wine would you serve with each one? Food and wine pairings factor in a combination of elements, such as the terroir, our powers of concentration, the circumstances of the tasting session, our sense memory and more. We guide you through some of the basic principles of this fascinating world!