Chignin, Savoie, France | |
Organic & Bio-dynamicWinemakers: Denis & Didier Berthollier |
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Brothers Didier and Denis Berthollier thrive on the challenge of working the steep slopes of Chignin on Southern flanks the Bauges Massif. Focussing on local varieties Bergeron (Roussanne) and Jacquere, with lesser plantings of Mondeuse, Gamay and Pinot Noir, the vineyard comprises 11 hectares of vertiginous blocks planted on the South facing slopes that attain up to a 55% incline at their steepest.
A thin veneer of glacial tillite, exposed bedrock and limestone colluvium have for centuries provided a perfect substrate to ripen fruit of great purity and finesse.
With the steepness of the terroir, all work in the vineyard is exclusively by hand. The soils are tended according to organic and selected biodynamic principals, essentially practising the same techniques that their grandfather used at the beginning of the 20th century.
Utilising limited inputs, indigenous yeast and extended maturation, the brother’s priority is to produce mountain wines that reflect the terroir as authentically as possible.