Lionel Gosseaume: Vineyards
Although many refer to this region as the Viticole Sologne, suggesting that this is a wine region above all else, perhaps with a sea of vines stretching from the Loire to the north to the Cher to the south, this certainly is not true. This is marshy land only made usable by the actions of Napoleon III during the 19th century; pine plantations were established and the land improved, and agriculture of all sorts flourished in the rich, virgin soils. Vineyards were also established, but many parts remain dominated by water, with numerous étangs dotted across the landscape, often surrounded by patches of woodland.
Lionel’s domaine is located on the outskirts of Choussy, a small village in the southern part of the Sologne, not that far from the Cher. The Forêt de Choussy dominates to the south. The village of Oisly, said by some to be the cradle of Sauvignon Blanc, is located just a couple of kilometres to the east, and the towns of Cour-Cheverny and Cheverny are about 15 kilometres to the north. Lionel has 18 hectares of land, but only 15 hectares are in production; the deficit is largely down to Lionel having pulled up some of the oldest, unproductive vines. The vines are scattered across four communes, including Choussy and Oisly (where the majority of the arrachage occurred), naturally, also Contres and Sassay, which lie beyond Oisly.
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