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Dear Clients, Dear Friends,
As our 2008 vintage gradually reveals its charms, so comes a shower of awards - the Lys d’Or, voted revelation of the 2008 vintage by the “Revue de France”, ambassador for the Loire…
Our cuvée Rouillères 2008 marks the return of smoothness, of creaminess and of ripe, juicy fruits. More than ever this year, your pleasure has place of honour!!
And what can be said about our 2008 "Osez" rosé, like a peach that is just calling out to be savoured.
Anyway, let’s treat ourselves this summer, in moderation of course,
We wish you a lovely summer full of warmth and happiness,
Yours truly,
Frédéric MABILEAU
frederic@fredericmabileau.com
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| Lys d’Or au « Concours des Vins de Loire » 2009 |
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This competition, which includes wines from the Anjou, Saumur, Touraine and pays Nantais areas, was first held in 2001 to reward the finest jewels in the Loire vineyards.
Out of 850 samples tasted, only 70 wines received a gold medal, one of which was our St Nicolas de Bourgueil "Les Rouillères" 2008.
In addition to this distinction our wine has been designated ambassador for the Loire St Nicolas de Bourgueil appellation, which will allow us to represent the appellation on export markets.
Bottled in March, this charming vintage is currently available and already a pleasure to drink.
You are very welcome to come and discover it for yourselves in our cellar, open from Monday to Saturday.
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| Disbudding, leaf thinning, our quest for quality |
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In our quest for quality that goes beyond organic farming, limiting yields is essential in ensuring that each grape cluster achieves its potential maturity. Special attention is given at each stage of the vine growing process.
Firstly, during the dormant winter period, the vines are pruned which will have an impact on the following year’s yields. It is necessary to adapt pruning to the vigour of each different vine stock so as to encourage maximum development of each bud.
Then, following “budburst”, comes “de-budding” which consists of removing certain shoots so that the future clusters are well spaced and not crammed together, by limiting the number of clusters on each vine stock.
Finally, the “leaf thinning” process, which consists of removing by hand the leaves in front of the clusters, so as to be able to monitor the health of the grape and to expose the clusters to the sun, allowing for optimal grape maturity.
Organic farming is an approach which involves treatments that respect the environment, but it is just one of the many ways in which we strive for quality. |
| And finally, the 2008 vintage will be ... |
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This year, the Revue du Vin de France once again published its honours list of the best wines from 2008.
Having tested more than 10 000 wines in the process of aging, only 1 700 were selected, one of which being our cuvée Coutures.
Like every year, we waited impatiently to taste this new vintage. And nature was on our side. The April frosts gave low yields, and combined with the exceptional sun we enjoyed from the end of August until the harvests at the beginning of October, our grapes achieved maximum concentration on ripening to become a vintage of great class. We therefore discovered a wine which is fresh and very fruity, at the same time delicate yet powerful, reminiscent of the best wines from the last few years…
If our 2008 Rouillère and Osez rosé wines are already delighting our taste buds, the 2008 Couture, Racine and Eclipse continue to develop in fullness, enriched by delicate tannins and will be ready for drinking by the end of the year.
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| The Loire River, a connecting thread |
For a trip out of the ordinary, you must take the road which gently follows the Loire River, the royal river as it is known, birthplace of St Nicolas de Bourgueil.
From Candes St Martin, one of the most beautiful villages in France, to the heart of Saumur, visitors will discover amazing cave dwellings, always with the same curiosity, and tufa-stone buildings heated by the sun as if in welcome.
And why not stop at St Nicolas? Take the time to be lulled by the relaxed way of life, to look, to smell, to taste, because this exceptional soil is reflected in each one of our wines. The one is linked to the other, like two inseparable elements.
Whether you are planning to come for the week-end, a week or for longer, we can always advise you on a place to stay, good restaurants and places to eat and unusual visits.
As for us, we welcome you Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 17.30, and on Saturdays from 10.30 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 17.30.
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| Our Shift to Organic Production |
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As seen in the adjacent document (click to enlarge), we began in 05/10/2007 to use only organic production methods. After three years under the surveillance of the organic certification group, Ecocert, we will be able to claim the title AB (organic agriculture).
To produce organically contributes to a lasting world preserving the biodiversity and the soils’ fertility but it is also optimizes the maturity and obtains a better quality organoleptique (taste, aroma, texture).
In practice, organic wine guarantees the natural treatment of the vines and soils, without pesticides or herbicides. Therefore, we protect our vines only with natural products such as sulfur and copper sulfate against different types of mildew. Already for years we have practiced weeding and working the soil between the rows. Which removes the need for all toxic chemicals and on the other hand allows for the vines to regulate themselves and maintain reasonable, more optimal water demands.
This choice, in line with winemaking, is motivated by the desire to obtain a high quality grape with a perfect maturity: essential elements for acquiring a pleasing, pure fruit flavor in a wine.
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NEWSLETTER OF FRÉDERIC : OUR LINK
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