A Visit to Charles Joguet, 2016: Tasting Notes
Our tasting done, Kevin Fontaine and I headed out to look at the vines. Having driven past the domaine more than once or twice I am familiar with its position on the south bank of the Vienne, and thus I know the vines of the Clos de la Dioterie behind it. Other parcels, such as those that contribute to the Cuvée de la Cure, which can easily be spotted from the main road, are also familiar. Other parcels which sit up on the slopes, however, in particular the vines that contribute to Les Charmes and Les Petites Roches, were new to me.
Anne met us at the domaine, and she, Kevin and I took a walk in the Clos de la Dioterie, looking at the soils, pale and peppered with chunks of limestone, and discussing their approach to viticulture. One feature of their vineyard with which I was particularly taken were the coloured tags (one of which is pictured) marking each row of vines. Each colour represents one member of their team, and so each employee returns regularly to work on the same row of vines, pruning in winter, leaf plucking and the like during the summer. By doing this, they understand the results of their own work, seeing what effect it has on the development and ripening of the fruit. The image below might not be the most striking photograph I have ever taken, but little details of how domaines work such as this just fascinate me.
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