The Family the Vineyards the Viticulture

www.domaine-pichot.com THE FAMILY THE VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING Jean-Claude and Christophe Pichot’s family is one of the oldest in The domaine ascribes to the philosophy of lutte raisonnée, Vouvray with origins as viticulturists and restaurateurs dating back employing rational use of pesticides, ploughing round the young to 1739. The family cellars are located in the charming village of vines, and mowing between some rows while ploughing under Vouvray in caverns hewn from the rolling hills which were once them elsewhere. The work is done depending on the weather, not quarried to provide stone to construct the grand châteaux of the systematically. Harvesting is by hand and machine, so that the Loire. In fact, the Pichot home is itself part house and part cavern, fruit can be picked quickly and at the best time. The harvest is with a dramatic hearth carved from the rock. pressed pneumatically and vinified at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks and oak casks (new wood is never used). The wines are filtered with a tangential filter and bottled on their own filling line. The bottling equipment is sterlized with steam at 212°F, and no chemicals are used. THE WINES In an era when most Vouvray wines are bottled by négotiants, the stylish wines of the Pichot family continue to show the perfumed elegance of Chenin Blanc and are authentic expressions of a particular terrain, climate, cellar, and the winemaker’s art. Coteaux de la Biche Vouvray Sec This dry white is a still wine with floral aromas and makes for a beautifully fresh accompaniment for summer and spring dishes. Domaine Le Peu de la Moriette Vouvray Demi-Sec Christophe Pichot in the Cellar The semi-dry Vouvray bottling is pale, delicate, and nearly dry, with lively flavors hinting at quince and grapefruit. Its fresh, floral THE VINEYARDS Chenin Blanc fruit is underpinned by firm and crisp acidity. The Domaine Pichot was established in 1996, uniting the three historic 2008 vintage was recognized by Wine Spectator magazine as one of vineyards of the family: Coteau de la Biche, Le Peu de al Moriette, its “Top 100 Wines” in 2010. and Le Marigny. Le Marigny Vouvray Moelleux The 15-acre Coteau de la Biche vineyard dates back to 1770 and In warmer years, Christophe Pichot produces a Vouvray Moelleux, came into the Pichot family in 1930 when Gérard Pichot married a perfumed, honey-scented, sweeter wine touched with Botrytis, the daughter of the owner. The legend is that a doe once took refuge often with the potential to age in bottle for generations. in the cellars of this domaine, hence the name. Les Larmes de Bacchus Vouvray Trie de Grains Nobles Christophe and Jean-Claude created Les Larmes de Bacchus in In 1957, Jean-Claude and Danielle Pichot purchased a home and 1995. Fascinated by the Botrytis-withered grapes sparkling in the 25-acre vineyard named Le Peu de la Moriette. According to Jean- sun like diamonds, they took a wild gamble and decided to make Claude, the name originates from the old French Puits du petit this nectar-like wine. Aged in oak barrels, this lovechild is the pride Maure, or “Well of the little Moor”, dating back to antiquity when of Domaine Pichot. It can only be made in certain years - nature the Moors had settled in this region of France. decides -, and the quantity of bottles produced, when the conditions are right, is very small, so this is a wine for real connoisseurs. Finally, in 1984 Christophe purchased the nearly 20-acre Le Marigny vineyard, which is made of one single plot located on Vouvray Brut exceptional terroir. The domaine also produces a sparkling Chenin vinified by the Méthode Champenoise. It is an elegant, fruity, yet quite dry, wine with a fine bead and a long, crisp finish. Vineyard Brands | www.vineyardbrands.com | Birmingham, AL JCP6000.

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