Les Nouvelles de BOISSET - SUMMER 2018 - N°41

6 Boisset La Famille des Grands Vins www.boisset.com - Summer 2018 Burgundy A GREAT ESTATE DEDICATED TO CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE The Maison Louis Bouillot is investing in vineyards to strengthen its supply for appellations where it is difficult to secure contracts. “Faced with growing demand, we are investing in vines to optimize our selected sources of grapes, and at the same time we are developing our experience in winegrowing through the choice of plantation and cultivation methods,” said the estate’s director, Marcel Combes. In addition to the 300 hectares under supply contracts, Louis Bouillot is today managing 108 hectares of vines in Burgundy, in Molesme, the Châtillonnais, the Couchois, the Hautes Côtes de Nuits and Hautes Côtes de Beaune, and on the Côte de Nuits, with one exceptional plot, En Bollery (see Nouvelles de Boisset n°40). These vineyards are mainly planted with Pinot Noir, with the vines trained as high trellises for the qualitative advantages of better adaptation to adverse weather, notably limiting the risk of frost damage, which in these northerly regions with their continental climate can be considerable. Pruning in a double- Guyot system ensures better exposition of the foliage and improved aeration to help the grapes ripen and keep them in good health. Having half as many vines per hectare means double the load on each plant, but can result in improved quality since the fruit is better distributed on the canes. Molesme, a pilot estate In the heart of the Châtillonnais, a stone’s throw from the border with the Champagne region, this location is ideal for producing great Crémant de Bourgogne wines because it has the same geological and climatic characteristics as its illustrious neighbor. Stony soil with hard limestone provides good drainage, and the climate is cool for these south-facing slopes. The Molesme vineyards cover 18 hectares, mainly planted with Pinot Noir and some Chardonnay, located in two villages, Pothières and Molesme, and the place known as La Grande Côte. The estate underwent a conversion to the production of sparkling, with replanting of high-trained vines with a spacing of 2.1m x 90cm, resulting in a density of 5,290 vines per hectare. The improved aeration and greater leaf surface gives healthier grapes, especially in damp years, and the height and spacing between the rows facilitates working but requires specially adapted equipment. Another new approach involves the use of straw between the rows, which brings several advantages, notably a reduction in weeds that compete with the vines, improved balance in the soil, and a counter to drought and excess water, with the promise of more regular yields. This is further enhanced by sowing crimson clover between the rows, which nourishes and aerates the soil.