Baudry-DUTOUR Vineyards…
Special focus on the Château de la Grille
The Château de la Grille was built in the late 15th and early 16th century by Antoine-Jean Cougny, who was advisor of King Louis XV. At the time the property already owned a vineyard of small size but was used primarily as a hunting lodge. Subsequently, in the 18th century, the property was purchased from the grid by the Marquis Gustave de Cougny who after that overtook the renovation of the castle, the construction of the outbuildings and a chapel in the grounds of the property. We do not know exactly what happened between the two owners, but Antoine-Jean Cougny being a loyal royalist to the crown of France, it was very likely that his property was seized and stripped during the revolutionary period.
The Marquis Gustave de Cougny was not satisfied just to renovate the château, but he also embarked on a policy of restructuring the production equipment. For this reason he enlarged the area (at the time the Château de le Grille had more than one hundred hectares) and then embarked on a business of polyculture (cereals, pastures, animals and vines).
The property remained in the Cougny family until 1951. It is in this moment when Albert Gosset (Champagne) famous winemaker bought the chateau. Winemaker he quickly saw the potential of the terroir of Château de la Grille. So he abandoned the polyculture Cougny and changed the interest to viticulture, starting to plant the area under vine. Also, Mr. Gosset never ceased to expand and modernize the production facilities. He also built an underground cellar in 1970 and equipped it with stainless steel vats. He was one of the first in the region to operate this equipment.
In 2009, the property was purchased by two Chinon winemakers, famous for their expertise and the quality of their wines: Mrs. Baudry & Dutour.
As soon as they arrived they renovated the old barn turning it into a wooden reception building (2011) and build underground cellar. Currently they have plans to restore the interior of the Château to accommodate seminars, weddings etc …
Château de la Grille gained acclaim as the Marquis Gustave de Cougny. Today the new owners are in the line of what was Château de la Grille synonymous with excellence in Chinon.
Regarding the origin of the name “the Grid (grille)” we do not know exactly determine the cause. The story has it that the name comes from the large wrought iron gate located in the park.
A vineyard manager
The property, with the arrival of new owners embarked on a process of “sustainable development / manager” I personally would call the CSR (Corporate Social Environmental Responsibility). The emphasis is focused on the environmental impact, the use of renewable energy, waste water treatment as well as the sorts waste recovery. Substantial efforts are also carried out in the vineyard. The wine production does not require that the vines but also men. Actions to improve working conditions, ergonomics and smooth spots on the year were conducted.
The Baudry-Dutour vineyards
The history of wine Baudry-Dutour is the story of complementarity. Christophe Baudry, owner of Domaine de la Ferriere, is a connoisseur of wine terroirs and traditions of the region of Chinon. Jean-Martin du Tour, owner of Domaine du Roncée is an agronomist and oenologist therefore he brings his expertise in both areas. Currently the eponymous vineyards have four properties located in AOC Chinon.
Some features:
Château Saint Louans – Chinon
- 5 acres of red. The wine is in new oak barrels for 24 months
- 85 acres of white. 12 months in oak barrels (1/3 new, 1/3 wine and 1/3 of two wines) with stirring and ageing on lees.
- Soil: yellow limestone of Touraine
- two wines: Château Saint Louans (100% Chenin Blanc) and Château Saint Louans (Red 100% Cabernet Franc)
- Manual harvest
Château de la Grille – Chinon
- Soil: clay and limestone
- two wines: Château de la Grille (Red 100% Cabernet Franc) and Château de la Grille (Rosé de saigné 100% Cabernet Franc)
- 28 hectares
- Practice sustainable agriculture
- Breeding for 12/18 months (depending on vintage) in barrels of 2 years or more.
Domaine du Roncée – Chinon
- 10 hectares
- Soil: gravels, clay and silica
- two wines: Domaine du Roncée – Clos des Maronniers (Red 100% Cabernet Franc). Ageing for 12 months, 50% stainless steel tanks and 50% in barrels for two years or more. Field Roncée (Red 100% Cabernet Franc) 100% breeding tank. Local gravel.
Domaine de la Ferriere – Chinon
15 + acres 10 acres of old vines- Soil: gravel, sand, gravel
- two wines: Domaine de la Ferriere (Red 100% Cabernet Franc) 100% aging in tank. Domaine de la Ferriere Vieilles Vignes (Red 100% Cabernet Franc) aged for 12 months in barrels of 100% two years or more.
Side anecdote:
The story of the week has to deal with the shape of the bottle of Château de la Grille. In fact you’ve probably noticed that it’s a bottle of champagne! But how so?
In 1976 the castle belonged to the Grid Gosset family famous family of Champagne growers. You should know that the Gosset champagnes have a unique model of bottle in the world, no other property can use it. Upon receipt of an order for the champagne house in 1976 the bottles came with a default color. Nothing serious, just the color of the glass was too light to keep champagne. Albert Gosset therefore decided not to destroy valuable container but to “recycle” by sending them to his property in Chinon. Since the bottle Gosset (with a color difference) became a symbol of the Château de la Grille.
Thanks to Catherine for the warm welcome.
Choukroun Chicheportiche Jonathan
Château de La Grille
Route de Huismes
37500 Chinon
Téléphone : 02 47 93 01 95
