The Wines of the Rhône Valley
PART TWO: THE SOUTH
(continued.
. .)
Domaine
Chapoton
Domaine Chapoton
Côtes du Rhône Villages Rochegude
Route du Moulin
26790 Rochegude
Phone: 04 75 98 22 46
Situated
in the Village of Rochegude, the Domaine Chapoton has been in
the Chapoton family since 1666. Hailing from Sweden, owners
Annika and Serge Remusan greet us graciously, and our conversations
lead quickly to future plans of their constantly evolving winery.
Completing the transition from grape grower to producer, this
winery has already achieved recognition from the French press.
Concentrating on growing fine quality grapes since 1985, they
are several years into their completion into becoming a winery
in their own right.
|
|
Label-Rochegude |
Annika
and Serge Remusan
owners of Domaine Chapoton |
They
take pride in their vineyard, consisting of Grenache, Marsanne,
Cinsault, Carignan white, Rousanne, Viogner and other grapes
.The oldest vines were planted by their grandfather in 1945,
and were grenache. They own exceptional land, situated on a
south facing slope at a height of 600 feet. The vines are planted
on heat retaining rock and stone soils, and benefit from the
Mediterranean climate. Since 1980, 10 hectars of new vines have
been planted. Their frustration, and hence their emergence into
their own wine producing facility, revolved around their inability
to negotiate with local cooperatives, who wanted all or nothing
of their crops. In 1995, they started seriously into their own
winemaking endeavors. They make 2/3 of their wine by hand. Each
year at harvest time, they bring 10 people in from the south
of Spain, along with 2 French students, to work alongside 3
full time helpers. Their estate is unforgettable, constantly
under construction, and a constant reminder of what will be.
You will never forget it if you visit.
Starting with a 1998 Rochegude Côtes Du Rhône
Village, we tasted a beautiful ruby red colored wine,
with a bouquet of fruits and a mild peppery taste. Lots of nice
tannins. This is a very well priced elegant wine, perfect for
grilled lamb and wild game.
Moving to a 1998 Côtes du Rhône Villages
Rochegude Rouge, we tasted a wine that was magnificent
in red color, with an elegant bouquet of cherry, wild strawberry,
violet flavors, aromatic with smooth tannins. Overall, a great
taste. This wine is ready to drink now, but could be kept for
several years. It consists of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10%
Cinsault Mourvedre.
The estate first started bottling wine through the use of mobile
bottling facilities in 1994. In 1995, and 1996, 16,000 bottles
were produced, increasing to 20,000 in 1997. By 1998, they had
bottled 40,000 bottles, and had received a two star selection
in the Hachette Guide, and had received awards following the
Wine Fair of Orange, France. They are currently looking for
exporters to the United States.
Domaine
Rabasse Charavin
Domaine Rabasse Charavin
Corinne Couturier 84290 Cairanne
Phone: 04 90 30 70 05
Fax: 04 90 30 74 42
Domaine
Rabasse owns over 50 hectars, and works an additional 15 hectars
that she rents from family. This is a 5 generation old winery,
with the last two generations being women. Corinne bottles her
own wines on the premises, in order to keep her 10 full time
workers working year round. Featuring the Vend du Pays as the
largest part of their production, Domaine Rabasse Charavin practices
all natural bio dynamic methods, which accounts for her ability
to maintain vines that are over 135 years old. Her respect for
tradition is a no nonsense approach, and believes strongly in
no barrel aging, stating that the quality of the wine is in
the grapes. We stood together and overlooked the vineyards,
marveling at the exquisite country side. She commands respect
throughout France for her winemaking, and is well known by her
neighbors in the village of Cairanne. Our favorite comment was
when we asked her if she was making organic wine. Her memorable
comment was " I said natural, not crazy!"