Dimanche 4 septembre 2011aura lieu la 3ème Balade Gourmande dans un vignoble du Centre-Loire.

Pour cette annéel'Appellation Châteaumeillant vous accueille et vous propose une balade ponctuée de pauses explicatives et gourmandes. Cette randonnée thématique d’une dizaine de kilomètres aura pour but de faire découvrir l’appellation mais également d’autres produits locaux. Elle est organisée avec le soutien du syndicat des vignerons de Châteaumeillant.

A la fin du parcours, laissez vous servir des vins de Châteaumeillant en accompagnement de votre pique-nique, profitez de la fête des grattons au son de la vielle et de la cornemuse.

Rendez-vous à 9H00 Place de l'église de Châteaumeillant pour le départ.

More details here

Press release from the Bureau du Centre Loire:

'35ème édition du Printemps de Bourges pour un 17ème partenariat avec les Vins du Centre-Loire lors d’une édition qui s’annonce, comme tous les ans, éclectique.

Du rap français (Akhenaton) au reggae (Tiken Jah Fakoly) en passant par la pop (Florent Marchet) et l’électro (avec une Rock’n Beat Party, troisième édition), il y en aura pour toutes les oreilles.

Il y en aura aussi pour toutes les papilles avec la cuvée du Printemps de Bourges dont le visuel 2011, créé par Alerte Orange, a été décliné en 7 étiquettes qui habilleront les flacons de Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Menetou-Salon, Quincy, Reuilly, Coteaux du Giennois et Châteaumeillant.

Les cuvées du Printemps de Bourges sont servies lors des opérations organisées par le festival, des conférences de presse aux soirées de présentation en passant par les loges des artistes.

Du 20 au 25 avril prochains, les partenaires et invités pourront donc découvrir, apprécier et partager l’ensemble des cuvées lors des dégustations organisées dans le nouvel espace Backstage.

Les étiquettes, déclinées en sets de table se montreront également dans tous les restaurants partenaires du Printemps dans la Ville.'

Extracts from the presentation to the press of the acts that will be performing during the 35th edition.

Pinot Noir in Châteaumeillant

The relevant French minister has now found his pen and has signed the décret that promotes Châteaumeillant to appellation controlée status. Châteaumeillant was a VDQS but they disappear next year, so it was either promotion to AC or becoming a vin de pays. Unfortunately there appears to be a rule that no new Loire AC can make pure Pinot. Instead they have to put up with a blend of Gamay and Pinot – a truly ungainly mongrel. The fact that some of the most interesting wines from this 80 ha appellation used to be Pinot Noir, is entirely beside the point. Doubtless the Domaine Romanée Conti will soon see the error of their ways and plant Gamay, so that they too can have this miraculous blend – perhaps starting with La Tache with the experimental wine to be called une tache de Gamay. Of course in Limoux you can concoct a wine in the Pinot style from whatever grapes you happen to have to hand.

Wines from the 2010 vintage will be entitled to the AOC.

Here is the press release that gives details of the new appellation and the history of Châteaumeillant:

AOC Châteaumeillant

C’est en effet par décret du 22 novembre 2010 que ce vignoble de plus de 80 hectares a accédé à l’Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (Décret paru au Journal Officiel du 25 novembre 2010).

La nouvelle a été accueillie avec soulagement par les professionnels du vignoble le plus central de France, professionnels qui ont attendu le décret près de 6 mois après le vote du Comité National de l’INAO (Institut National des Appellations d’Origine).

« Nous savons que nous sommes une très petite appellation qui se situe dans une toute petite niche. Cette reconnaissance va déjà nous permettre de ne plus avoir à expliquer pourquoi nous ne sommes pas en AOC » déclare Pierre PICOT, président heureux du syndicat.

« Cela va nous permettre, avec les autres vignobles du Centre-Loire, de travailler sur un autre registre de communication » poursuit-il avant de conclure « Cette AOC va enfin susciter des vocations et amener de jeunes vignerons sur le vignoble et lui donner un nouveau souffle ».

Rendez-vous est déjà pris au Salon des Vins de Loire 2011 pour déguster les premiers Châteaumeillant AOC de l’histoire des vignobles du Centre-Loire.

Contact Presse : Benoît Roumet

benoit.roumet@vins-centre-loire.com

Pierre PICOT – Président du syndicat

Tel : 06 08 27 61 11

Châteaumeillant: Un peu d’histoire…

L’origine du vignoble se situe au Ve siècle. Châteaumeillant fut le Meylan des Bituriges avec la vigne biturica, le Mediolanum de Peutinger, nœud routier gallo-romain, véritable entrepôt d’amphores.

Grégoire de Tours mentionne le vignoble dès 582.

De 1220 à 1275, des chartes de franchises réglementent le bon vin, les corvées et le ban des vendanges. Ce dernier existe toujours.

A la fin du XVIIIe siècle, on importe le plant lyonnais, en 1830 le gamay beaujolais s’installe de façon durable.

La réputation de Châteaumeillant s’est établie grâce à son célèbre « gris », vin issu du pressurage immédiat des raisins de gamay.

Les qualités de ces vins seront reconnues en 1965 par un arrêté qui consacrera le vignoble VDQS : vin délimité de qualité supérieure.

Le 22 novembre 2010, le vignoble obtient l’Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée.

Le vignoble

Le vignoble de Châteaumeillant, qui compte 82 hectares, est situé sur les communes de :

- Châteaumeillant, Saint Maur et Vesdun dans le Cher

- Champillet, Feusilles, Néret et Urciers dans l’Indre

Les Sols

Le vignoble de Châteaumeillant est planté sur des terres siliceuses à dominante sableuses et sablo-argileuses. Les sous-sols sont constitués d’une assise métamorphisée comportant principalement des grès, des micaschistes et des gneiss.

Cépages :

Gamay majoritaire (60% minimum pour les rouges et les rosés

Pinot noir (40% maximum pour les rouges et les rosés)

Pinot gris (15% maximum pour les rosés)

Filière : 24 déclarants dont

- 7 Vignerons

- 1 Cave coopérative regroupant 17 adhérents

Production annuelle moyenne : 4 000 hl (530 000 bouteilles) dont 63% de rouges

Ventes sur 12 mois en moyenne : 500 000 bouteilles dont 10 % à l’export

Châteaumeillant en AOC

C’est officiel depuis le 22 novembre 2010

Gamay@Châteaumeillant August 2009

Gamay in Châteaumeillant August 2009 during veraison

After a long wait Châteaumeillant will become an appellation contrôlée soon. Its elevation from VDQS was approved unanimously by the INAO on 9th June in Angers. Now all it needs is the appropriate minister to find his pen and for the new décret to be officially published. It looks, however, that red Châteaumeillant will have to be a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir, whereas some of the best Châteaumeillant I have tasted was pure Pinot.

For those devising pub-quizzes Châteaumeillant is now the most central AC in France.

Press release announcing the promotion:

'Châteaumeillant devient AOC Châteaumeillant

Après 19 ans d’attente, l’appellation Châteaumeillant obtient enfin l’AOC par vote à l’unanimité lors du Comité National des Appellations d’Origine viticole de l’INAO, qui se déroulait à Angers le 9 juin 2010. Dans quelques semaines le décret sera publié au Journal Officiel et la récolte 2010 sera alors en AOC.

Un peu d’histoire...

L’origine du vignoble se situe au Ve siècle. Châteaumeillant fut le Meylan des Bituriges avec la vigne biturica, le Mediolanum de Peutinger, nœud routier gallo-romain, véritable entrepôt d’amphores.

Grégoire de Tours mentionne le vignoble dès 582. De 1220 à 1275, des chartes de franchises réglementent le bon vin, les corvées et le ban des vendanges. Ce dernier existe toujours.

La réputation de Châteaumeillant s’est établie grâce à son célèbre « gris », vin issu du pressurage immédiat des raisins de gamay.

Les qualités de ces vins seront reconnues en 1965 par un arrêté qui consacrera le vignoble VDQS : vin délimité de qualité supérieure.

Le vignoble

Le vignoble de Châteaumeillant est basé sur 7 communes : Châteaumeillant, St-Maur, Vesdun (dans le Cher), Champillet, Feusines, Néret, Urciers (dans l'Indre). Il produit des rouges et des rosés issus de terroirs très typés (assemblage de Gamay noir à jus blanc majoritaire et Pinot noir à concurrence de 40%). Il compte une centaine d’hectares et une production d’environ 4500 hectolitres et rassemble 8 vignerons et une coopérative (qui regroupe une vingtaine d’adhérents)

Le vignoble de Châteaumeillant est planté sur des terres siliceuses à dominante sableuses et sablo argileuses. Les sous-sols sont constitués d’une assise métamorphisée comportant principalement des grès, des micaschistes et des gneiss.

Pour Pierre Picot, Président du Syndicat Viticole, le fait d’obtenir l’AOC après autant d’années d’efforts pour l’ensemble des vignerons (qui ont toujours travaillé leurs vignes et leurs vins en suivant la réglementation de l’AOC), apporte au vignoble de Châteaumeillant une notoriété importante : il accède à la cour des grands !

C’est la reconnaissance pour l’ensemble des vignerons de Châteaumeillant, d’un travail collectif qui place Châteaumeillant comme AOC la plus centrale de France.'

Fabien Geoffrenet

As Fabien had to head off for a meeting in Bourges we didn't have time to taste his wines during my visit to his domaine on 10th August, so he gave me samples that I tasted over the next few days.

2007 Little Big Wine, Vin de Pays du Cher

This is a blend of Sauvignon and Chardonnay. "The Sauvignon from here is not aromatic unlike those from Sancerre and Pouilly," Fabien had told me. He is quite right there as this is an easy-drinking crisp, minerally white. To be drunk fairly young but, tasted blind, it would be very difficult to pick out the blend of grapes used.

2008 Comte de Barcelone Rosé, VDQS Châteaumeillant
This is a an attractive pale-coloured rosé (vin gris) style and is mainly Gamay (95%) with a pinch of Pinot Noir (5%). Generous red fruit flavours but still crisp and refreshing. A fine summer aperitif and more interesting than the domaine white.

2007 Version Originale, VDQS Châteaumeillant €7.70

Made from 100% Gamay (70% young vines and 30% old) this is a soft, easy-drinking red with a hint of sous bois. Lightly chilled it could be drunk on its own and would be an enjoyable bottle with a light summer lunch or picnic. It would also work well with fish like sea bass or salmon.



2006 Cuvée Jeanne Vieilles Vignes, VDQS Châteaumeillant Domaine Geoffrenet-Morval €9.40
From vines of at least 50 years old, this is a blend of 90% Gamay and 10% Pinot Noir. Richer and more structured than Version Original – being a 2006 adds to the difference, of course. Drinking well now, this could be kept another two or three years.

2007 Extra Version, VDQS Châteaumeillant, Domaine Geoffrenet-Morval €8.20

My preferred G-M red made from at least 80% Pinot Noir with Gamay making up the difference. Mid-weight EV has good Pinot Noir character and is currently drinking well for a 2007. It would be interesting to taste a 100% Pinot Noir from Fabien.

The report on my visit to Domaine Geoffrenet-Morval is now complete. Click here.

••

Stockists of Jean Baumard's book on the Quarts de Chaume can now be found here.

10 August 2009

We had a brief stop at the Abbaye de Noirlac before heading off to Châteaumeillant to meet Fabien Geoffrenet of Domaine Geoffrenet-Morval. The Abbaye does not open in summer until 10am, so as I had arranged to meet Fabien at around 10am in Châteaumeillant a visit was out of the question on this occasion.

Fabien Geoffrenet is a dentist by trade or rather he was until a passion for making his own wine forced a change of career. This must have been a decidedly brave decision as the chances of making a good living financially in dentistry must be considerably higher than in a little known VDQS like Châteaumeillant.

Fabien Geoffrenet in his Gamay vines

Driving across from Saint-Amand-Montrond the landscape was very different from the flat plains of the Berry, especially between Châteauneuf-sur-Cher and Dun-sur-Auron. Instead of the large fields without hedges, the countryside was much more rolling with small fields with hedges. Apart from the architecture you might well have imagined you were in England in Constable country.

I wanted to visit Fabien as it was these wines (Domaine Geoffrenet-Morval) that had stood out as clearly the best wines from Châteaumeillant at the tasting of Central Loire held on 18th December 2008.

Fabien started to change his life in 1997 when he began studying wine-making at the Lycée Viticole in Beaune. His studies included several stages with Bertrand Minchin of La Tour Saint-Martin (Menetou-Salon and Valençay). In 2000 Fabien and Laure set up in Châteaumeillant. Fabien had considered trying to find vines in Sancerre but this was not possible. Apparently it is very difficult for an outsider to buy vines here as any vineyards that do become available are sold between the Sancerrois. "It is impossible to break into Sancerre," said Fabien.

Some of Fabien's Gamay at the beginning of veraison

Fabien was then living at Venesmes, just south of Châteauneuf-sur-Cher. It was suggested that perhaps he should consider Châteaumeillant. Although there are 580 hectares classified as Châteaumeillant, there are actually only 82 hectares in production. This is, however, a considerable increase around 1990 when there was around 50 hectares producing. There are six producers in Châteaumeillant, who market their wines. This includes the cave co-operative which accounts for 60% of production.

"In 2000 I found 46 ares of old vine Gamay and my first vintage was selected by the Guide Hachette," Fabien explained. "I now have nearly 11 hectares – 70% Gamay, 30% Pinot Noir – and 40 ares of white – Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc plus 20 ares of Pinot Gris for the rosé where it is allowed to make up to 15% of the blend."

Fabien was keen to stress that, although Châteaumeillant is on the edge of the Massif Central and that its soils are formed of eroded material from the Massifs slopes, it is still a ligerian (Loire) wine region. "It is more akin to Touraine rather the semi-mountainous appellations like Saint–Pourçain, Côte Roannaise and the Côtes de Forez. Here it is never a problem to get grapes ripe unlike the semi-mountainous areas."

Previously the Domaine du Parc

I met Fabien at his tasting room in Châteaumeillant, which still has the sign of his predecessor and we soon headed out to see some of his vineyards, starting with a block of 15 year old Gamay. On the way I asked Fabien about what was happening with Châteaumeillant's application to become an appellation contrôlée. Currently it is a VDQS but this category will disappear in 2011. "The application is well advanced," replied Fabien, "Châteaumeillant should be promoted next year." Under its current VDQS rules Châteaumeillant cannot produce a 100% Pinot Noir – 40% will be maximum under the new AC rules – although it can make 100% Gamay. "We did discuss whether we should argue for a higher proportion of Pinot Noir to be allowed but a majority were reluctant to do this as it would hold up the application." As Fabien best red is the Extra Version, which has a high proportion (at least 80%) of Pinot Noir, the new rules look as though they will cause him problems.

Although I think there is much that is good about the appellation contrôlée system, it has become absurdly anally retentive in relation to the small and newer appellations the grape varieties and the proportions that can be used. What is the logic or tradition that requires Pinot Noir to be limited to 40% in Châteaumeillant? 100% Pinot Noir should be allowed here just as it should be in the Coteaux du Giennois. It seems all too likely that these restrictions have nothing to do with typicity or tradition but everything to do with powerful and established appellations not wanting upstart ACs producing pure Pinots that might highlight how poor, for example, some Burgundian reds can be. What a horror if a Pinot Noir from Châteaumeillant showed up a Nuits Saint Georges!

Natural vegetation in the centre of the row, while under the vine a mix of harrowing and weedkiller is used

"We prune long," says Fabien, "so that the vegetation is well spread out with a maximum of 10 bunches per vine, although it is more commonly eight. We use a mix of weedkiller and harrowing under the vine. The soil is very sandy and poor here, so that if the vineyard was completely grassed over it would be too much competition for the vine." Fabien is critical of the use of copper in organic viticulture. "It's a poison – not organic."

On the way to a parcel of Pinot Noir, we have a quick look at Fabien's small winery. "The first part was built in 2000 and we extended it in 2005. We pick by hand and have a sorting table. Everything is destemmed and the grapes are loaded into the vats via a conveyor belt.

More Gamay

Then we headed to the parcel called, Le Chevrier, where Fabien has his best parcel of Pinot Noir – a clone that produces small bunches. Unlike the Pinot Droit clone that produces large bunches of big grapes and is vigorous so it is difficult to control the yields. The vines are neat with the bunches well separated and well ventilated. Fabien: "The 2009 harvest will be small as the weather during the flowering wasn't good and coulure has reduced the crop. Overall it's likely the yield will be around 40 hl/ha. In 2005 we had 55/60 hl/ha, which was ideal in that good vintage."

This time: Pinot Noir (above and below)@Le Chevrier

In the lower part of the parcel, where the soil is more sandstone with a lot of iron, Fabien has his parcel of Sauvignon Blanc for his Little Big Wine vin de pays du Cher, which is a blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon.

Sauvignon Blanc

••

The imposing Château de Culan: on the road to Montluçon. The château overlooks the River Arnon, which wanders north past the vineyards of Reuilly and joins the Loire near Vierzon

Fabien had to head off for a meeting in Bourges, so he gave me samples to take away and taste later. This will be a separate post.

The previous report is now complete – more words and pics recently added.

Noël Pinguet, Domaine Huet

Today there was one of those must attend tastings – Richards Walford at the Baltic Restaurant, London SE1. Although the Baltic is a good venue with excellent food, Richards W has to an extent become a victim of their success as the tasting area soon became quite cramped.

I concentrated on the smallish selection of Loires on show dominated by recent and some older vintages from Domaine Huet. Noël Pinguet was there as well as Anthony and Evelyn Hwang, who were also presenting wines from their Kiráyudvar estate in Tarcal, Tokaji.

First four other Loires with the crisp, lemony and quite austere 2007 Touraine Sauvignon from Jean-Christophe Manard of Mareuil–sur-Cher. Next another Sauvignon this time the 2007 Reuilly from Denis Jamain, this was again crisp and lemony but with more weight than the Mandard. Unfortunately Jamain's delicious 2007 Pinot Noir wasn't in the tasting. Then changing to Chenin Blanc with the 2007 Saumur Blanc from Frédéric Mabileau. Although this has some weight, it is considerably leaner and less expressive than it was before bottling. There is certainly potential there but it either needs time or out into a carafe for an hour or two before serving. Also on show was Frédéric’s vibrant 2007 Les Rouillères, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil.


Then nine wines from Domaine that included several that I had tasted on 12th January. Confirmation that though the 2007 Le Mont sec is lovely, the powerful 2007 Clos de Bourg sec is even better with great mineral purity. The 2007 Le Mont demi-sec again showed well and was partnered with the golden hued 2000 Le Mont demi-sec showing greater complexity from its time in bottle gaining a long lasting, dry honey flavour that carries on into the quite austere finish.

Following Noël’s instruction I tasted the 1986 Le Clos du Bourg moelleux before the richer 2005. The 1986 has 32 gms of residual sugar – “a moelleux before global warming,” commented Noël. The 1986 has a typically pure and austere Huet finish preceded by a honeyed nose and a beeswax and mineral palate. Then the still very youthful, rich and honeyed 2005 Le Mont moelleux – only hinting at the complexity to come with age.

The 2002 Le Clos du Bourg moelleux 1er tri (58 gms rs) with its sweet honeyed fruit with hints of lychee, wonderful balance and length shows again what a marvelous vintage 2002 is. The hope, of course, is that 2008 will turn out equally well as September and October resembled 2002. The 1993 Le Haut Lieu moelleux 1er tri completed the line up. It was just as fascinating as it was when I tasted it with Jean-Bernard.“

Antony and Evelyn Hwang: Kiráyudvar estate and Domaine Huet

While Noël poured Vouvray, Anthony and Evelyn Hwang poured their Tokaji starting with the widely contrasting secs from 2005 and 2006. The 2005 slightly oxidative in style giving additional complexity, some beeswax and minerality, while the 2006 was more opulent, richer and less mineral. From the five other Tokajis on taste – a demi-sec and four sweet – the last two (2002 Aszù 6 Puttonyos and 2002 Aszù Lapis) really stood out. Here the richness in sugar (197 gms rs and 235 gms rs) is balanced by high acidity (9.5 and 9.2) giving the wines a thrilling tension. Perhaps inevitably this quality comes at a price – £56.49 and £84.49 a bottle respectively.

Richard Kelley MW

Also had time to catch up with Richard Kelley MW, who has nearly finished writing up his recent researches in Jasnières and the Coteaux du Vendômois. They should appear on his site soon. Richard has just become one of the world’s leading authorities on Châteaumeillant as well as exploring the Côte Roannaise.

(19th December 2008)

Just a few of the samples

Friday morning was taken up with an extensive tasting of reds from the Central Vineyards with wines from Sancerre, Menetou-Salon, the Coteaux de Giennois, Reuilly and Châteaumeillant. All were pure Pinot Noir, except for those from the Coteaux de Giennois and Châteaumeillant, which were either pure Gamay or with a varying proportion of Pinot Noir. Under the bizarre appellation rules the producers of the Coteaux du Giennois are not allowed to make 100% Pinot Noir. Instead it has to be a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir. Prior to becoming an AC in 1998 100% Pinot Noir was allowed and these were among the most interesting reds from the Giennois vineyards. The ways of the INAO remain shrouded in mystery!

Benoît Roumet and his team at the Bureau du Centre had assembled a record-breaking number of reds and the tasting was brilliantly organised with a full file of all the wines tasted to take away with me. My grateful thanks to Benoît and his equipe and also, of course, to all the producers who kindly submitted samples.

I tasted the wines blind, although I knew the appellation and the vintage. The overall impression is of encouraging progress being made, although there are big differences in both style and quality both within the five appellations and between them. I wasn’t surprised to find that most of the top wines came from Sancerre and I’m encouraged that many of my top picks came from well producers like Lucien Crochet, Alphonse Mellot, the Vacherons, Vincent Pinard, Dominique Roger and Jean-Max Roger. I was also pleased that my top picks were not confined to the ‘usual suspects’ but included Serge Laloue, Domaine de la Rossignole and Domaine Claude Riffault – their 2006 Antique was perhaps my top wine of the tasting.

(more to follow)

2008 harvest in the Pays Nantais with Che

The VDQS Gros Plant Syndicat has opted to apply for IGP (Indication Géographique de Provenance) status. By the end of this year all those still remaining in the VDQS (Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure) category will have to opt for either AOP (Appellation d'Origine Protégée) or IGP. From 2009 to the end of 2011 only those that have applied either for AC or VDP status will be able to continue to sell their wines as VDQS.

The Loire has many of the now limited number of VDQS remaining, so it is make your mind up time for Châteaumeillant, Coteaux d’Ancenis, Côtes d’Auvergne, Fiefs Vendéens, Haut-Poitou, Saint-Pourçain and Thouarsais.

The château at Ancenis. Coteaux d'Ancenis is one of the
remaining VDQSs, who now have to opt for AOP or IGP

The Gros Plant Syndicat decided that Gros Plant would be better off as a IGP than trying to become AOP (similar to the existing AOC but a European-wide designation) because this will allow them to blend Gros Plant with other varieties such as Colombard, Montils and Pinot Gris (Malvoisie in the Pays Nantais). Going for AOP status would have meant reducing yields and some of the existing Gros Plant vineyards would have been left outside the new zone.

The Syndicat's decision is not a surprise. The production of Gros Plant declined considerably and it was very likley that it would have struggled to get AOP status. It will, however, be a shame if all Gros Plant ends up being blended with other varieties as good examples remain a wonderful match with oysters.

In early June 2008 as part of the European Union reform of the wine industry the French government adopted AOP and IGP. AOP is almost identical to the AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controllée) while IGP is a more flexible version of VDP (Vins de Pays). Under IGP producers can use whatever varieties they wish and it is possible to use oak chips and add tannins and acidity.


From: E-Lettre Vitisphere No 324 21st Novembre 2008
Pays de Loire : Le VDQS Gros Plant choisit l’IGP
Le syndicat du VDQS Gros Plant du Pays Nantais s’est prononcé pour un passage en IGP (Indication Géographique de Provenance) dans le cadre de la future segmentation de l’OCM qui entrera en application en août 2009. La disparition annoncée des VDQS avait déjà conduit le syndicat à se prononcer il y a quelques années sur son passage en AOC. Aujourd’hui le syndicat revient sur cette position, estimant que le cadre de l’IGP proposé par l’Europe correspond mieux aux ambitions de l’appellation Gros Plant. «Cette catégorie de vin offre une souplesse qui cadre bien avec ce qu’est actuellement le Gros Plant. Le choix de l’AOP nous aurait conduit à des baisses de rendement et des restrictions de l’aire d’appellation qui ne nous semblent pas opportunes. Par ailleurs, nous envisageons d’élargir notre encépagement en autorisant les assemblages avec le Colombard, le Montils et le Pinot gris. Ce projet a plus de chance d’aboutir dans le cadre de l’IGP que de l’AOP », argumente Jean-Michel Morille, vice-président du syndicat.