About The Producer
The Domaine, located in the heart of the Vouvray appellation, has grown with five generations, thus steadily expanding from 5 to 33 hectares. The Vigneau-Chevreau family has honored this tradition with the foresight to expand, modernize, and plan for future generations. The Vigneau-Chevreau’s were granted a 50-year lease to replant and farm the historical vineyard of Marmoutier Abbey, the cradle of Vouvray appellation wines. The 33 acres are located in 4 out of the 8 villages in the appellation. In 1995 the Domaine converted to very strict Biodynamic/Organic agriculture. They are one of two such producers in all of Vouvray. The aging of their wines takes place in their deep limestone cave.
Terroir & Vineyard Practices:
The Vigneau-Chevreau's farm according to biodynamic methods, which strictly forbids the use of chemicals of any kind. Situated in the north of the Tourraine region, Vouvray is under marine influences with mild winters, moderate summers, and sunny autumns, which enable further maturation for the latest vintages. The vines face south on the main slopes of the Vouvray hills, allowing maximum sunshine right down to the Loire. The entire Domaine is located within Vouvray, where the soils are clayish limestone or clayish siliceous ("Silex"). The first layer ("aubuis") sits directly on the limestone plateau, which is called "tuffeau" (limestone). The second layer("perruches") is composed of various flints, which are favorable elements for the growth of the vines. The wines of the Domaine benefit from this soil diversity.
Tasting Notes
This wine ferments two months in barrels, and then it matures in the tank with its fine lees until the spring. The wine develops a good balance between acidity and a light residual sugar, which gives a natural fresh flavor.
Vinification
Cuvée Silex is so-named for the flint (silex) in the vineyard soil, which imparts a pleasing and distinctive minerality to this wine. It is dry (sec), and can be characterized by quince, apple, and ripe citrus fruit aromas and flavors.
