Archives des Anne Claude Leflaive - Blog World Grands Crus

High demand in organic wines

guru — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 08:04:31 +0000

In France, organic wine is far from being affected by the crisis. According to a recent study, one in three French consumers drinks organic wine. This consumption surged by nearly 22% in 2013.

What Is Organic and Biodynamic Viticulture?

Organic and biodynamic viticulture consists of producing wine without synthetic chemicals to treat the vines, preserving the soil’s microbial life and ensuring proper vine nourishment. This brings both quality and true terroir expression to the wine.

Whether driven by trend, a return to ancestral methods, or an even deeper pursuit of quality, every reason is a good one to embrace organic farming!

Organic Certification: Ethics vs. Business Strategy

However, caution is warranted: many winemakers are adopting organic farming today to revitalize their estates.

For many of them, organic viticulture represents quality, eco-friendly practices, and the use of healthy, chemical-free products. Yet, there is an even greater incentive for these producers: successfully marketing their wines.

Today, numerous winemakers have transitioned to organic farming to capture market share. Obtaining organic certification allows them to sell their wine more easily—and, above all, at higher prices!

Grand Crus and Organic Farming: When Excellence Doesn’t Need a Label

When it comes to the most prestigious estates—such as Domaine Georges Roumier, Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Domaine Leflaive, Jacques Selosse, or Domaine de la Romanée-Conti—organic practices have been in place far longer than with these newer domains and their fresh outlook on the organic world. Yet, you won’t find any official certification or organic logo on their bottle labels. Why is that?

The answer is simple: the relentless pursuit of quality and the expression of terroir remain the ultimate priorities for these world-renowned producers.

Their wines rank among the finest in the world, and displaying an “organic” or “biodynamic” logo holds little appeal for them. Passing down ancestral methods from generation to generation, they perpetuate tradition while showing deep respect for nature.

France: A Global Powerhouse in Organic Wine Production

In terms of production, France stands in the top three global producers of organic wine alongside Spain and Italy. Together, these three countries account for three-quarters of world organic wine output. In France, over 65,000 hectares (representing 8.2% of French vineyards) are now organic—a staggering 188% increase since 2007.

This new “organic era” is attracting a growing number of young winemakers deeply concerned about protecting our planet…

A Philosophy of Living Soils Inspiring Provençal Terroir

This quest for purity and authenticity goes beyond winemaking alone. In Provence, the same respect for the land and artisanal craft inspires modern, exceptional producers. This vision is embodied by Canebiera, which applies the principles of 100% organic cultivation with uncompromising rigor in the heart of the Provençal terroir.

Much like the iconic winemakers, Canebiera emphasizes manual labor, respects natural cycles, and rejects synthetic chemical treatments. This authentic approach proves that a passion for organic practices and a love of the land continue to redefine quality standards across the region.

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Wine alchemy in Burgundy

guru — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 09:33:40 +0000

The vineyards have been cultivated since the middle ages in the monasteries of Burgundy, the whole region is ingrained in the soil and influenced by traditions.
For many decades now chemistry is applied in this culture, the French vineyards consume alone 20% of pesticides!
Some wine makers refuse this alternative and work in a different way. Jean-Claude Rateau evokes the nature, «plants are fed by the roots, that’s where they get the energy and that’s why we have to respect the vitality of soil and its’ microbiological wealth ».
Biodynamics excludes the use of chemical products, but it doesn’t stop there, thanks to the use of organic matter like cow dung or herbal and mineral preparations.
But all this is not enough, it’s all about a certain vision of nature and compliance with the cycles of Lunar Calendar, kind of return to the roots!
In Puligny –Montrachet, Anne Claude Leflaive of domaine Leflaive, composes the world famous Chevallier-Montrachet or Bâtard –Montrachet bottles. She follows the principles of biodynamics, defends her ideas and sprays natural preparations on the vineyards in the smallest amounts as a source of energy.
In Mâconnais, Pierre Masson composes biodynamic infusions and preparations. This experienced farmer among the other preparations uses cow-horn manure, a trend preparation in biodynamics, that, when in the soil, transforms manure into a very rich humus. And he doesn’t stop at his numerous great activities, he also edits the Lunar and Planetary Calendar and determines, depending on the position of stars in the constellations, the most favorable days to work in the vineyards.
Many wine makers in Burgundy are now applying biodynamics at different levels. Bearing in mind that biodynamics will not make a better wine, but will offer a cleaner and more noble wine culture, infuse greater quality, make it more fruity and, above all, give it a greater expression of terroir.

And, inexorably, the wines produced in such a way, will enchant the palates of the amateurs of petit and grand crus so dear to French cultural heritage.

L’article Wine alchemy in Burgundy est apparu en premier sur Blog World Grands Crus.

Domaine Leflaive – Bienvenue Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 2010

guru — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 05:00:03 +0000

The Leflaive Domain, situated at Puligny-Montrachet, is an institution in the Burgundy region. Entirely dedicated to biodynamic agriculture, the domain represents 60 acres of vineyards, of which 12 are classed Grand Cru and 27 acres as Premier Crus. Named as General Manager in 1994, Anne-Claude Leflaive is a key figure In the Burgundy region, first for her kindness, her perseverance in implementing a biodynamic approach, and her courage. 2010 is synonymous of a great Burgundy vintage. It has a beautiful maturity, as well as a marvelous in the mouth length. This vintage is going to delight all the great white Burgundy wine lovers. A 40% drop in its production illustrates this grand, 2010 vintage. On an exceptional terroir, Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet, these superb productions of this century old domain, is all that a lover of great white wines can dream of. Matured over 12 months in casks followed by another 6 months in vats before being bottled, acquiring their finely toasted, elegant, fruity and rich flavor.

Bienvenues Bâtard-Montrachet, Grand Cru, from the Leflaive domain is a beautiful lot of 3,7 acres (the largest of the 8,6 acres, that represent the label) positioned just underneath the Bâtard and against les Pucelles. This gently slopping environment composed of a calcareous soil, of a brown, almost black color, these soils being heavy next to the surface, clearly mark the wines with their aromatic generosity and powerful body, allowing them to be perfectly well kept long periods. Doubtlessly, it’s not the best grand cru in Puligny, suffering the comparison with the Chevallier, much more elegant and fine and the Bâtard, the latter possessing even more energy and aromatic profile. But the mellow texture and it’s volume in the mouth makes for an accessible and refined vintage ideally suited when accompanying fresh water fish or lobster. It compares as far as style is concerned to the middle section of the Charmes de Meursault. (source: Patrick Essa) 2010 is a great Burgundy vintage, marked by their classical style and small yields. The general profile of the 2010 whites is close to the 2008 vintage, with wines combining an excellent maturity, offering fruitiness and a beautiful acidity, offering length and precision. The nuances with respect to her elders, comes from a more accomplished maturity and a slightly less marked acidity, offering more precocious wines, hence being of easier access in their youth, with a promise of a magnificent maturation. It’s more a “terroir” wine rather than a vintage wine, the 2010 will delight all those Burgundy lovers, marked by the uniqueness of each environment. The only downside to this picture is the average drop in production, 40% with regards to the preceding year. The wines from the domain are certified as being issued from biodynamic agriculture since 1998.

L’article Domaine Leflaive – Bienvenue Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 2010 est apparu en premier sur Blog World Grands Crus.

Wine by women

guru — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 14:19:40 +0000

The poet is always right, when he announces the blossom and declares with Aragon, women are man’s future. That could well be the case in the near future the profession within the wine industry will be linked increasingly to women. Wine is not a priori woman’s universe nevertheless it’s not anymore an exclusively man’s universe. Women are now winegrowers, oenologists, consultants and merchants. They are associated to the wine, to the vines, and to domains, they are present everywhere. In the last twenty years the presence of women has more than doubled. They are epicureans for sure; they have a better drinking habits than men, have a better appreciation of aromas and are more sensitive to a wine’s bouquet and scent; as well as being more sensual when it comes to sharing their impressions and feelings. Wine has now become a woman’s affair. They are not feminists, nor masculine, they are simply passionate and the same as men, in love with the vines and the “terroir”, considering their profession as an art. There are now more than 80 domains in France that are managed by women, where their labor offers a wine that is neat and good, simple and robust, and of great quality. It is impossible to name them all, but for their quality, finesse, scarcity and excellence, may we suggest the following: Domain Agnés Paquet, the Domain Cécile Tremblay and the Domain Anne Claude Leflaive.

L’article Wine by women est apparu en premier sur Blog World Grands Crus.