2014 Loire – vintage also underway in Vouvray + 2011 Foreau Sec

 Chenin Blanc@the Clos de Venise

Yesterday we had a quick look@Vouvray, in particular in Jacky Blot's (Domaine de la Taille aux Loups) two parcels on the north side of the Loire – Le Clos de Venise (Noizay) and Le Clos de la Bretonnière. With wonderful fine weather at the moment, which has lasted for much of September and now into October, the vignerons are optimistic at last after two difficult years, although yields are tending to be low – Jacky says he will be lucky to see 30 hl/ha this year. On the other hand he thinks 2014 could well be potentially the best sec he has made in Vouvray and Montlouis. Comparisons with the 2002 and 2008 vintages are being made.

With a less favourable forecast for early next week, Jacky is keen to get as much as possible of the top parcels picked this week, so one picking team in Vouvray, the other in Montlouis – tackling Clos Mosny and Clos Michet. 

Clos de Venise: 

 Phew! Hot work for the first day of October!

 Clos de Venise – sorting (above and below)

Very little waste in 2014 – grapes rejected in Clos de Venise

– big contrast to last year

•••

 Picking machine@work in vineyards near Noizay

 

 Vernou-sur-Brenne

Grapes@Vernou

 

Vernou: picking machine returning to vines after its lunch

 Grand houses along the Premier Côte@Vouvray

(Above and below)

Clos de la Bretonnière

 Organising pickers

 Jacky Blot@the sorting table

 Grapes in the upper and older part of the Clos de la Bretonnière 

are being left to see if sweet wine can be made this year

 

 Hod-carrier

 Sun-bathing vintage..

Another hod carrier

On the way back to Epeigné-les-Bois we dropped in La Grange Tiphaine where we saw Coralie Delecheneau, who reported that Damien was over at Saint-Martin-le-Beau (AC Montlouis) picking for their sparkling cuvées.

Philippe Foreau: 2011 Vouvray Sec 

Domaine de Clos Naudin

While in Vouvray we drove up the Rue de la Croix Buisée to see if anything was going on at Philippe Foreau's Clos Naudin. As it was lunchtime there was not unnaturally little activity but we did get a glimpse of his pickers all seated round a table enjoying a sitdown lunch. So it seemed appropriate yesterday evening to open in celebration of the 2014 vintage a bottle of his 2011 Vouvray Sec. Still very young, of course, but with an attractive citric and slightly baked apple character with just a touch of sweetness to balance the acidity.