Clos Cristal (Saumur Champigny) to Robert et Marcel

One of the walls in the Clos Cristal
The vine roots are on the shady side, while 
the rest of the vine grows facing the sun

Thankfully a solution has been found to what happens to the famous Clos Cristal, AC Saumur Champigny, albeit that the solution is, for the moment, temporary. Earlier this year the previous management of this historic Clos founded by Antoine Cristal early in the 20th century went bust. 

Attempts to find a new management proved to be fruitless and apparently, in the interim, the vines, which escaped the serious frost of 27th April, were not being looked after. Two days ago it was announced that the well run Cave des Vignerons de Saumur, had agreed a two year contract under their trade name – Robert et Marcel – called after the two now deceased cousins – Robert Neau and Marcel Neau – who founded the Cave in 1957. The agreement can be extended to six years. There is a stipulation that the Clos has to be farmed organically.        

'Clos Cristal : L'hôpital confie temporairement son legs avant de... ?

La directrice de l'hôpital de Saumur, Cécile Jaglin, a rendu officiel son choix pour le devenir du Clos Cristal, le legs qu'avait fait Antoine Cristal aux Hospices de Saumur en 1929.... Celui-ci sera temporaire. Elle en a confié la gestion par un "prêt à usage" de 2 ans à la Cave des Vignerons de Saumur avant qu'une solution "pérenne" ne soit envisagée. Et, foi de vigneron, le président de la Cave, Marc Bonnin l'annonce : il devrait y avoir du "Clos Cristal" en 2016.'

Read the rest here.