Vincent Lacour
Approach to the new winery
Inside the spacious and gravity-fed winery
Just over a week ago I visited Vincent Lacour in Vrigny, Saint-Georges-sur-Cher. I had met his partner Raechel Waugh in London in January at the French Wine Discoveries tasting at Tobacco Dock. I had been surprised to discover Vincent Lacour's wines as he and his 26 hectare domaine is only four or five kilometres away from Epeigné-les-Bois. Furthermore I often cycle through the hamlet of Vrigny.
There is, however, an explanation for this apparent oversight. Although the family has been involved in growing grapes and making wine for 100 years, they have also sold through the local négoce. Vincent only started bottling and selling his own wine in 2013. Vincent and Raechel recognise that it will take time for Domaine Lacour to become established. The majority of their wine will continue to be sold to négociants.
When Vincent, who is a qualified winemaker, started in 2003, they were still making wine in very cramped and difficult conditions in sheds attached to his grandfather's house. So cramped and difficult were the 'facilities' that Raechel told me that Vincent lost at least eight kilos during a harvest – and he is already pretty trim!
In 2010 Vincent opened a new, spacious and practical winery in the Vrigny's Voie Romaine.
Eight hectares of the domaine's 26 hectares are planted with Sauvignon Blanc, 8 of Gamay, 3.5 Grolleau, 3 Cabernet Franc and 4 Chenin.
For the moment Vincent has three wines – a clean and precise Crémant de Loire (7€ – at domaine) made from Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay that spends 12 months on its lees for the moment, though the intention is for the Crémant to spend much more on its lees in the future. There is a rosé (5.25€) made from 90% Gamay 10% Cabernet Franc.
Then there is the Sauvignon Blanc – I was particularly impressive by the delicious 2014, which is a bargain when bought from the domaine at 6€. This Sauvignon is made in a nicely ripe style, very clean and well balanced. I plan to buy some when I am back in the Loire at the end of May.
Jacques Lacour, Vincent's father, out pruning
Vincent
Raechel Waugh – marketing and promoting Lacour wine
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