Wines devised plot by plot
To work a vineyards means to know every grape, the soil from which it draws its character and vigour, the age and origin of its vine. It means to know where it stems from, and to decide what it will become, in particular by ensuring the perfect harmony between the different grape varieties and the soils, but also between the viticultural and vinicultural techniques used and the objective pursued: the wine you wish to obtain.
It all starts with the ground, seen from the sky. “It is necessary to establish a very precise mapping of the plots and technical itineraries…”
Château de Birazel has placed plot-by-plot management at the heart of this strategy. Jeremy Maury, the cellar master, has thus divided the 17 hectares operated by the Château into dozens of plots, depending on whether the soil is gravelly or chalky-clayey, facing South or leaning Westward.
It all starts with the ground, seen from the sky. “It is necessary to establish a very precise mapping of the plots and technical itineraries, and to select the parcels —sometimes several kilometres apart— which are best adapted to our grape varieties”, explains Jeremy.
Whether on his tractor, on foot or from behind his computer, Jeremy examines the grapes of each plot, gauges their vigour and ripening, monitors their density, and staggers their harvest. It is about optimizing the yield, while ensuring a perfect balance between quantity and quality. These are also the key words at the Château: vision, efficacy, and efficiency.
The parcelling-out of the land is also found in the cellar. Thanks to the use of small vats, each plot has its own. This is how, with the help of Alberto Da Silva and at the cost of titanic and painstaking efforts, Jeremy guarantees the traceability of the grapes from the stock to the bottle.
The plots are like the pieces of a puzzle. Cleverly surveyed, organized and assembled, they compose the wines of tomorrow.
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