Vincent Carême: Vineyards
The domaine is managed using dedicated and certified organic methods, avoiding all chemical pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. Mildew and oidium are managed using copper sulphate and wettable sulphur, sometimes mixed and sprayed together which is not uncommon. It saves time, and helps reduce the diesel emissions when spraying by tractor. Vincent is keen to reduce copper sulphate use though, and he often registers doses far below the upper limit permitted by organic regulations. It all depends on the vintage though, and clearly the quantity used in a wet and mildew-challenged vintage such as 2012 will be different to warm and sunny years such as 2009.
In keeping with his organic status Vincent allows grasses and other natural vegetation to grow between the rows and around the vines, in keeping with their organic status. Some parts of the vineyards are ploughed, by horse in one section. Yields are controlled by pruning, typically achieving between 35 and 45 hl/ha.
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