Newsletter november 2000
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Newsletter november 2000
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Half-yearly newsletter issued by the Jerome Quiot Vineyards, November 2000, n°8 WISDOM AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AGRICULTURE Dear Readers Traceability, environmentally-friendly agriculture, 'organic' wines, different standards, ideas which seem to be taking an increasingly important place in buying procedures alongside the value of AOC, and with one sole aim - the reduction of risk. One wishes to make the consumer feel secure, to avoid any possible fuss , the 'mad cow' controversy makes you reconsider. In a climate of increasing standardisation, it is not that simple to apply methods of working which permit at the same time the retention of typicity and a response to environmental concerns or to European directives. However, we aim to do this and have been doing so for some years now. Our sole objective is to retain the intrinsic character of our wines and our terroirs whilst keeping at the forefront of our minds the interests of our consumers and the quality of the environment. We are going to begin by explaining this to you in a short article devoted to environmentally-friendly agriculture CONTENTS Report
on the 2000 Harvest 2000 HARVEST - EXCEPTIONAL by Jerome Quiot From the beginning of the vintage we were sure that we were going to have an excellent vintage. These expectation have been realised. For
the Domaine Houchart in Cotes de Provence the agricultural investments carried
out , with new trellising new stainless steel maceration cuves in the cellars,
have enabled us to make some excellent wines. The roses, with a good clear rose
colour and an alcohol level of 12°3 to 12°6 (less high than in 1998 or 1999)
will have a lot of freshness and vivacity, with floral
aromas. The acidity levels will be quite high for our Mediterranean climate; the
new stainless steel tanks have allowed us better
control of the duration and temperature of the maceration. In the light of this high quality level, we have decided to make a greater volume in red than in previous years in order to maintain more significant stock levels, and this include the Reserve quality. In our Domaine in Caromb, in Cotes du Ventoux, the plantings of Syrah from previous years have yielded fruit (30% of the planting to date). The colour is very vivid and the majority of the Grenache has good length and excellent balance. The volume produced is the maximum possible and the quality very good. Then,
at Châteauneuf-du-Pape, more than elsewhere, this 2000 vintage will be a
vintage to remember. Probably the best of the decade, and from the memories of
the vignerons the best for the last 30 years. At
the Domaine du Vieux Lazaret, the whites are very floral with a light colour
progressing from a golden hue to pale green - long and fat in the mouth. The grapes from the « Combes d'Arnevel» that we picked early at maximum maturity are very expressive, well-balanced and structured. The style of the Syrah is typical of the wines of this terroir with chalky white stones. The Domaine Duclaux has lived up to its reputation, with the alliance between Grenache and Mourvèdre reaching great heights with this vintage. We have bought a certain number of new oak barrels and from this month we will be using them for the first wines.
Our year ended on the 31st August, with a turnover of 21.2 million francs, an increase of 22% on the previous year. For the first time in our history, the percentage of sales within France moved into second place with 14.8% of our sales. The rest of the markets are shown as follows:
Other countries : Luxembourg (0,69%), Greece (0,33%) , Austria (0,15%), Singapore (0,11%) , Malta (0,1%) , Italy (0,08%), Spain (0,02%) By product, sales have developed as follows:
We see a development in sales of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, linked to the significant quality of the current
vintages, and this is in spite of an extension of stock availability.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AGRICULTURE For several years now we have been writing in this newsletter how the land and the soil play a key role in the quality of our wines. We rest the soil (for 4 years) use organic fertilizers made from a base of grape marc and reduce treatment products to a minimum (but the grapes must not be damaged). We also grass up the more vigorous vines and dig over the others (the result has been extraordinary). All this has become a trend and many people use this method. We at Vignobles Jerome Quiot are already well-advanced in these processes. For example, this winter we will leave our vines with « controled grass up ». Why? Because the roots of the grass promote aeration of the soil and encourage water drainage; after rain the tractors do not make ruts in the soil, which is less impacted; grass favours a raised humus level and helps the return to earth-worm. It encourages the break-down of treatment products. In a word, the soil becomes more healthy. Also if you come to visit this winter, don't be astonished by the presence of grass in the vineyards. Be wary of soil that looks too 'clean'in winter. These are the ones that are often not in good shape in the summer. As for the difference between environmentally-friendly, biologic or organic philosophies, we will talk about these in the next newsletter.
PROGRESS IN THE DEVELOPMENTS AT DOMAINE HOUCHART Each year we see the investments at Domaine Houchart developing. After having returned the Domaine to its original agricultural state (30 hectares at a cost of about 4M F) and carried out changes in the planted grape varieties, we began to rebuild the vinification cellar. Two years ago we installed fermentation temperature control equipment. This year we have got rid of some concrete cuves and installed thermo regulated stainless steel cuves (an investment of 500,000 FF) for the maceration process. In the coming year we will probably plant two and a half hectares of Syrah, carry out trellising of 3 hectares (to 3 levels to a height of 1.8m, with mobile wires). In the cellar we will instal new cuves, a new grape reception area and perhaps a press. This total investment will be around 1.8M FF. We will try otherwise to make the Domaine even more attractive with plantings of pines, cypresses, almond trees and oleanders. It only remains for you to visit the Domaine, where Melanie and Georges will welcome you in the shop which we plan to expand.
DECRET DES COTES DU RHONE VILLAGES The" Jerome Quiot selection" has got off to a good start with its negociant activities with the purchase of a « Cotes du Rhone Villages » : in this case a Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne. The rules which regulate the production of this appellation have been redefined more rigorously in the decree of 12th February 1999. The Cotes du Rhone Villages extend over 95 communes in the departments of the Vaucluse, the Ardèche, the Gard and the Drôme. Some of these products can use to the name of a commune, whilst respecting the particular conditions of production. These communes, 16 in number, include Cairanne which is commercialised by the Jerome Quiot Selection and Vinsobres which shortly will be. Conditions of cultivation The
grapes: in red and rose the Grenache noir must represent
at least half of the planting. Syrah and Mourvèdre must constitute at least
20%. Pruning: spur pruning, in gobelet or cordon is required. Only the Viognier can be long cane pruned. The product The
Cotes du Rhone Villages comes in red, white and rose. The degree: The wines must have a minimum degree of 12°. When the name of the commune is used, the rose and white wines must be 12° and the reds 12.5°.
NEW PRODUCTS Cotes du Rhône Villages, Vinsobres 1999 Jérôme Quiot Our negociant arm is launching this month a "Cotes du Rhone Villages
Vinsobres" rouge 1999. The wine is a blend of 70% Grenache, and 30% Syrah. It has a good intense colour, excellent concentration of tannins, both supple and silky. It is presented in the heavy 'seduction' bottle, antique colour and for the moment, like the Cairanne is reserved exclusively for our export markets. For more information please contact Isabelle Ogier. WINES QUOTED IN THE PRESS Go to global press review. wine
ADVOCATE - 28th
October 2000 "Both of these vintages are extremely seductive, voluptuously-textured wines meant to be consumed during their first 10-12 years of life. Sometimes this style of wine can be superficial, but both of these efforts possess surprising layers of concentration and depth. The deep ruby/purple-coloured 1999 Châteauneuf-du-Pape exhibits an opulent texture, full body, and plenty of up-front black cherry and cassis fruit. Smokiness emerges with airing, and the wine finishes with succulent levels of glycerin and fruit Drink it over the next decade. The 1998 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a deep, full-bodied, open-knit, fragrant offering with low acidity, and abundant fruit, glycerin, and extract. It is hard to resist given its fleshy, ripe, jammy style. It will drink nicely for 10-12 years." wine
ADVOCATE - 28th
October 2000 'These are the finest efforts I have yet tasted from proprietor Jerome Quiot. In the past, these wines have tented to be almost too commercial and light, without significant depth or density. That is certainly not the case with these offerings The 1999 Châteauneuf-du-Pape reveals a peppery, garrigue, and black cherry-scented bouquet of moderate intensity. While obviously made a modem style, there is good depth, sweet, jammy fruit, and a delicious, low acid, plump style. It should drink well for 7-8 years. Even better is the 1998 Châteauneuf-du-Pape cuvee Exceptionelle. Its dense saturated garnet/plum colour is followed by aromas of smoked herbs, soy, pepper, kirsch liqueur, and assorted berry fruits. Full-bodied and spicy, with multiple levels that caress the palate with a sweet, glycerin-imbued texture. It is well-made, fat, and concentrated. Enjoy it over the next 12-15 years. Lastly, the dark ruby/purple-coloured 1998 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Combes d'Arnevel offers a big. Heady nose of spice box, tobacco, black fruits, and earth. It provides a hedonistic mouthful of full-bodied, chewy, nicely-textured fruit that coast the palate without heaviness or alcoholic hotness. This beautifully pure effort falls just short of being outstanding. Anticipated maturity : now 2014." guide hachette 2001 DOMAINE DU VIEUX LAZARET 1998 ** A hospice of the 18th century has given its name to this Domaine owned by the former president of INAO. Two wines tasted, both of great interest. This Domaine du Vieux Lazaret surprised by its finesse and its aromatic richness. Already developing honey and leather tones, enhanced by harmonious oak. This wine is for drinking within three years with steamed fish dishes. We can also mention from the same producer the Domaine Duclaux 1998, fatter and with more oak, which would be a very good match for fish dishes with a sauce. |