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.
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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!"
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