Domaine Huet: Viticulture
I have already discussed in some detail the three vineyards of Domaine Huet, with particular reference to their acquisition, location and terroir. Here I look at the Huet approach to viticulture with regard to these three vineyards.
The vineyards are planted entirely with Chenin Blanc, the Grolleau that was once planted at Le Haut Lieu having long disappeared. Half of the vines were planted in the 1950s and 1970s, and where necessary vines have been replaced on an individual basis. As a result each of the vineyards is a mix of young and older vines; at any one time the Huet vineyard includes about 15% very young vines, aged between one and ten years. This leaves 35% of the vineyard between ten and forty years of age.
When planting the vast majority of vines have been established by grafting onto American rootstock, necessary in the post-phylloxera era, but there have been some trials of planting Chenin Blanc on its own roots here. Both Le Haut Lieu and Le Mont have seen such plantings, the wines marketed as a Franc de Pied or Non-Greffé cuvée.
Please log in to continue reading: