Bonnigal-Bodet: Vineyards
As noted, the domaine is located in Limeray on the north bank of the Loire, on the limestone côte which runs down to the river’s flood plain.
Putting the Montlouis-sur-Loire project to one side for the moment, and speaking exclusively about the Touraine and Touraine Amboise vines, there are 36 hectares all told. Much is channelled into these two appellations, although the domaine also dedicates some fruit to the production of sparkling wines with the Crémant de Loire appellation.
The varieties planted are numerous, although the lead cultivar would seem to be Chenin Blanc, which accounts for 16 of the 36 hectares. All the Chenin vines have the Touraine Amboise appellation, and all are located on the côtes, Stéphane and Jean-Baptiste having focused on retaining only the best parcels. From these 16 hectares they produce at least seven distinct cuvées parcellaires. The remaining 20 hectares are planted to a diverse mix of other varieties, led by Côt which is the red variety eligible for the Touraine Amboise appellation, along with plantings of Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Pineau d’Aunis, Grolleau, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Of the 36 hectares, the majority – 30 hectares in fact – are located in a single parcel, upriver from the cellars, on the slopes and on the plateau above the Rue des Beauvoirs and Rue du Clos de Beauce. When we toured the vines together Stéphane Bodet referred to this parcel as the Clos de Beauce, and it is indeed the source of the Clos de Beauce cuvée, but it would be wrong to think all the fruit is channelled into this wine; the cuvée Tonnes Barils, for example, is also sourced from within this 30 hectares.
