Jacques Rouzé: Vineyards
The domaine is located within the little town of Quincy, on its northwestern periphery. Quincy remains a focus for the Rouzé family, with 14 hectares in this appellation, which are planted entirely to Sauvignon Blanc (this being the only variety permitted). The soils here are complex but for the purposes of simplicity most are light and sandy or gravelly, occasionally with some clay, having largely been deposited by the waters of the Cher. These lighter more superficial soils sit atop the more typical limestone that otherwise dominates this part of France. Although most of the vines are on the left bank of the Cher (and indeed this is true of the entire appellation, not just the Rouzé vines) Jacques Rouzé is one of a handful of vignerons to have acquired some vines in a small parcel that exists on the right bank, said to be the original heart of the appellation. Some of the vines, about 4 hectares. date back to Jacques’ ancestors, being well over 70 years of age. Another 3 hectares were planted in the 1960s and 1970s, while the rest was planted during the 1980s.
The vineyards are occasionally hit by hail, as storms can on occasion travel down the valley of the Cher, about which little can be done. Frost is another problem in these parts, especially for more low-lying vineyards closer to the river, but unusually Quincy has an appellation-wide installation of anti-frost wind turbines, from which the Rouzé vines will clearly benefit.
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