The Vines

Geography & Terroir

Val de Vallière steephead valley
Limestone Lias marls.

Cultivation Techniques

Biodynamic vines inspected and certified by Demeter France since 2003: use of horn dung (500P), silica (501) and herbal tea treatments.

These techniques preserve the indigenous yeasts which contribute to the authenticity and purity of the wines.

Our grapes are all picked by hand, sorted in the vineyard and rapidly transported to our cellars in small crates to avoid crushing the grapes, meaning that we only need use very little S02 during vinification.

Grape Variety

The Chardonnay variety “Melon à queue rouge”, resulting from a massal selection from our vineyard with a yield limited to 35Hl/Ha (2.28 tons per acre)

Carte des vignes du Domaine Pignier
Ageing in barrels
Ageing in barrels

The Wine

Vinification

Pressed slowly then immediately transferred into 228L oak barrels without settling or racking.

No added yeast, no chaptalisation, nor any oenological additives.

Fermentation and ageing take place in the same barrel, with stirring to add breadth to the wine and regular topping-up to highlight the floral aromas typical of the grape variety.

Bottled on a “flower” day according to the lunar calendar and sealed with natural fire-branded corks.

Characteristics of the Vintage

2018: superb and generous early harvest. The clayey marls retained humidity and freshness in the soils, whilst the hot and dry summer guaranteed beautiful ripe fruits.

Alcohol: 15%
Total SO2: 45mg/L
Harvested on 21/09/2018

Tasting Notes

Pale gold colour, subtle aromas of white flowers and yellow fruits, with vanilla.

Bursts on the palate with crystalline vivacity.

Keep for 15 to 20 years.

Food & Wine pairing

Taste slightly chilled at 12°C as an aperitif, with shellfish, or grilled fish.

deco mets vins