Domaine des Deux Vallées: Vineyards
As I have already explained in my introduction, Domaine des Deux Vallées is located at the highest point of the commune of Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné, on the Corniche Angevine, midway between the towns of Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné and Rochefort-sur-Loire. The first time I set eyes on the domaine I was driving along the road, exploring some less familiar corners of the Coteaux du Layon appellation. Usually I would turn off this road and head down through the vineyards of Chaume and Quarts de Chaume, but continuing past my usual left-turn led me past this domaine, not to mention the Tijou residence of Château de Bellevue and, a little further on, the vineyards of Philippe Delesvaux.
As already indicated, the domaine has well over 40 hectares of vines, which at the time of writing are undergoing conversion to certified organic viticulture. After some restructuring, the vineyards are planted largely to Chenin Blanc, and the fruit is largely destined for dry wines. The soils underfoot are very typical of the region in that they rest on the many varies igneous and metamorphic forms which dominate this small valley. I will provide some details on specific parcels of vines and the relevant terroir in my run-down of the various cuvées, as described below.
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