Domaine Bernard Baudry: sorting and loading grapes into the vat
Even spending three weeks trying to cover the vintage in the Loire is not enough given the size of the region. Fortunately not all the grapes ripen at the same time nor do all the regions pick at the same moment. Unfortunately this year the time available for Chinon, Bourgueil, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil and Saumur was just one day, so we only had time to nip in and see a few people in each appellation.
Jean-Martin Dutour, Baudry-DutourFirst stop was the Baudry-Dutour winery just to the east of Panzoult."We started picking for the rosé last week," said Jean-Martin. "The grapes are coming in at 12% and they are fine for rosé but not ripe enough for reds. We used to make
rosé de saignée but now we have specific parcels for our rosé. Saignée never makes the best rosé. It is much better to grow grapes specifically for rosé. Yesterday we started picking Les Perrières as the grape skins are now ripe (12%-12.5%, 4 acidity). We had thought to start hand picking the old vines on Monday but we have put it back a week to give them time to ripen further.
As for the Chenin we have picked for the cuvée traditional and will wait before we pick for the top. Once again this year we won't be chaptalising (adding sugar to the must) any of our wines. As I was leaving Jean-Martin reminded me of
their new website.
View of Panzoult from Baudry-Dutour winery
Domaine Bernard BaudryA real flying visit to see Bernard, who was busy sorting grapes with his team. Bernard: "we picked Le Clos Guillot yesterday with up to 13% potential. Although the grapes look good, there is a threat of rot."
Cabernet Franc@Domaine Bernard Baudry
