The unusual past of Domaine Charles Joguet
A man's will
THEDomaine Charles Joguethas a unique history. Composed of numerous plots that have fallen victim to phylloxera over the centuries, the estate was long managed using mixed farming. The vineyard plots that we still know today therefore do not all date from the same period, some dating back one or two centuries before the French Revolution (Clos de la Dioterie) while others, more recent, date from 1830 (Sazilly).
Domaine Charles Joguet, as we know it today, stems from the desire toCharles JoguetHe himself took over the family estate in 1957 upon his father's death. Together with his mother, they joined forces to preserve the terroir and the 80-year-old vines, striving to produce the best possible wine. Seeing their efforts bear fruit motivated them to think bigger and surround themselves with experts to develop the vineyard. Following the advice of Marcel Angelliaume, Jacques Puisais, and Father Tafonneau, Charles Joguet was able to realize his plans to plant Les Varennes du Grand Clos, Clos de la Cure, and Clos du Chêne Vert between 1962 and 1976, all while constantly innovating technically. From 1980 onward, however, he began planning for his succession, intending to return to his first loves: painting and sculpture. Thus, in 1983 and 1985, the following artists joined the estate:Michel Pinardwho is in charge of vineyard monitoring and winemaking, thenJacques Genetand his family as partners in the estate. All are perfectly aligned with the estate's values and know how to get the best out of it. Charles Joguet, knowing his estate was in good hands, therefore definitively relinquished the reins in 1997, exactly forty years after taking up his position.
The multiple plots of land in the Charles Joguet Estate
A mosaic of terroirs
THEDomaine Charles Joguethas the distinctive feature of being made up of aa very large number of plotsIndeed, this typical area of theLoire Valleyis composed of an incredible variety of terroirs. These include:
The Mesnier Corner, composed of the terroir of Beaumont-en-Véron, located on the plateau of the same name. This is a siliceous plateau situated between the Loire and the Vienne and constitutes the most homogeneous plot of the Domaine Charles Joguet, large at 10 hectares and planted from 1988.
Jaunais WoodLocated on the left bank of the Vienne, this 12-hectare plot, planted from 1969 onwards, is divided between the communes of Anché and Sazilly. Situated on the narrow strip of the former bed of the Vienne, its terroir is therefore predominantly alluvial.
THEClos de la CureIt is a two-hectare plot of vines planted in 1974, located on the left bank just in front of the church of Sazilly. Its terroir is gravelly on a clay base, corresponding to the high alluvial deposits of the Vienne.
The Varennes of Grand ClosThe 4.5 hectare plot, located on the left bank of the Vienne in Sazilly, was planted between 1962 and 1976. Its very particular terroir, both silico-clay and silico-calcareous, is due to its position at the foot of the gravelly terrace composed in part of the erosion of the limestone hillside.
The Green Oak EnclosureIt owes its name to the ancient holm oak that overlooks the plot, a tree over 800 years old. These two small hectares constitute one of the oldest vineyards of the appellation and are located on the right bank of the Vienne River, in Haute Olive, one of Chinon's legendary spots. Its position on a very steep southwest-facing slope provides a clay and siliceous-limestone terroir.
The Dioterie ClosIt is located right next to the winery of Domaine Charles Joguet and receives special care due to the age of its vines, which are 70 to 80 years old. This two-hectare plot benefits from an optimal northeast exposure for perfect ripening, not to mention its clay-rich, highly calcareous soil.
The Varennes of the Grand Clos Franc de PiedThis is a plot planted on the same terroir as Les Varennes du Grand Clos, but each is vinified separately to extract its full typicity. This one comprises only a small hectare, planted in 1982 and then replanted in 1992 and 1995.
Le Clos de la Plante Martin(AOC Touraine) was planted between 1994 and 1999 on 3 hectares. This plot is located on the left bank of the Vienne, bordering the Chinon AOC. Its clay-limestone terroir is exceptional for Chenin Blanc, allowing it to best express the identity and complexity of this grape variety.
Thus, the35 hectaresfrom Domaine Charles Joguet are arranged ona patchwork of parcelsIncredible, this estate offers an extraordinary variety in its wines. 32 hectares are dedicated to red grapes, made entirely from Cabernet Franc, and 3 hectares are cultivated for white grapes, entirely from Chenin Blanc. Each plot is harvested and vinified separately, allowing each cuvée to develop its own unique character.
Exceptional expertise
The great expertise of Domaine Charles Joguet
THEDomaine Charles Joguetproduced each year fromnumerous vintagesAlthough he only cultivates two grape varieties: Cabernet Franc for the reds, and Chenin Blanc for the whites, this results in 9 Cabernet Franc cuvées (including one rosé) and 2 Chenin Blanc cuvées. These cuvées are distributed across the appellations.Chinon(for the most part) andTourainefor two of them. Furthermore, the winery, equipped with temperature-controlled tanks, allows each cuvée to be vinified according to the plot, its exposure, but also the vintage, the wine's character, the age of the vines, and so on. Thus, there is something for everyone. From easy-drinking wines to wines for long aging, each vintage offers a wide selection. Indeed, whether you prefer powerful and concentrated wines, fruity, aromatic wines with great finesse, or very dense and structured wines, you will find what you are looking for at Domaine Charles Joguet. Whatever the vintage, there is sure to be a cuvée to your liking.
