Chenin in the Clos Mosny (Montlouis – Jacky Blot) where picking started 7th September
A quick sweep through Montlouis and Vouvray yesterday afternoon brought mixed reports from the vignerons. Some happy and relaxed with the way the 2011 vintage is going, others describing it as difficult and likely to produce no more than pleasant wines. The one common factor appears to be the worry that acidities are low this year, so giving wines that may be a bit heavy and lacking some minerality.
During our visit in Montlouis we saw Bertrand Jousset and Ludovic Chanson who were both happy with the way the harvest was going.
Bertrand: 2011 is much more relaxed than last year, which was a panic. We started about ten days ago and have picked the Chardonnay, Gamay and Grolleau as well as the Chenin for the sparkling. We are now picking the Chenin for the still wines. It is coming in at around 13.5% potential alcohol, although the acidity is a bit low. We will still be picking into next week.
Bertrand Jousset@work
Bertrand: 2011 is much more relaxed than last year, which was a panic. We started about ten days ago and have picked the Chardonnay, Gamay and Grolleau as well as the Chenin for the sparkling. We are now picking the Chenin for the still wines. It is coming in at around 13.5% potential alcohol, although the acidity is a bit low. We will still be picking into next week.
Ludovic Chanson considering 2011 Montlouis
Ludovic: "It has been my easiest vintage so far. We started on Monday 12th September. We have picked the Sauvignon Blanc and grapes (Chardonnay and Chenin) for the PetNat and some of the dry Chenin which is between 12.8%-13.2% potential. The yields are reasonable in 2011 – 35 hl/ha for the Chenin, 40 for the Sauvignon Blanc and 37 for the Chardonnay."
Montlouis: wild ferment!
Sorting table Clos Mosny (above and below)
Clos Mosny: some rot
Clos Mosny – discarded grapes
Report to be finished but first off to Chinon, Bourgueil and Saumur
