Vincent Ricard, Thésée (AC Touraine)
After leaving the Clos Roche Blanche we dropped in on two Vincents – Vincent Ricard @Thesée and Vincent Roussely, Clos Roussely@Angé. Although both were very happy with the quality of 2014 – "the most beautiful grapes I can remember" Vincent Ricard, both men are disappointed with the low yields again this year – the third year in succession.
Vincent Roussely is at 28 hl/ha for his Sauvignon Blanc, which represents 70% of his production. Vincent Ricard, in his second year of conversion to organic viticulture has 38-40 hl/ha but really needed 45-50 hl/ha in order to supply his clients. Instead 2014 is another short year. Vincent Ricard has finished his whites and just has 3.5 ha of reds to pick.
"I had to spray 14 times this year – we didn't stop until 21st August." says Ricard. When I decided to change to organic viticulture I was determined to show that it was possible to have both reasonable yields – 45-50 hl/ha – and to be properly organic. Over the past two years I have invested €200,000 in machinery to help make this possible.
Vincent drawing a sample of 2014 Les 3 Chênes
Vincent Roussely in his winery in Angé – having moved
his press out of his cellar and across the road now has more space to work
2014 machine picked Sauvignon Blanc
Cubes of frozen carbon dioxide to protect the grapes
as a susbtitute for sulphur dioxide
Some CO2 tablets on the trailer of fruit waiting to be processed
CO2 protection
La Petite Reine
Grapes left for future 2014 Libertine
– the sweet Roussely Sauvignon Blanc cuvée
Vines, Angé church and other side of misty Cher Valley
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