The stop at Domaine Chaume-Arnaud with Owner/ Winemaker Valérie Chaume-Arnaud in Vinsobres was our first event in the Southern Rhône. It was a tasting only.
Domaine Chaume-Arnaud
Domaine Chaume-Arnaud is owned and run by Valérie and Philippe Chaume-Arnaud, a young and vibrant couple. Philippe looks after the vines while Valérie works the cellar. This is a traditional mixed farming estate. Olive trees, cereals, and tomatoes keep the vines company.
Until 1956 there were more olive trees in the communes of Vinsobres and St-Maurice than vines until one night in February when a terrible frost killed all olive trees and the focus shifted to the vines.
At Domaine Chaume-Arnaud farming was always done in harmony with nature, a herd of sheep was always in sight since they were an important component of the holistic management of fields, groves, and vineyards. Since 2003 the estate is farmed according to biodynamic principles. Since 2009 all products have been AB (Agriculture Biologique) and Demeter certified. I quote the Chaume-Arnaud family: ”Over the years, we have noticed that not only are our soils more lively, but our vines are more vigorous, and our wines have evolved towards a more harmonious balance”.
Today they have 85 acres of vineyards situated in and around Vinsobres – which is one of the nine “Cru” of the Southern Rhône - and St-Maurice on a magnificent terroir of calcareous and stony soil with southern exposure facing Mont Ventoux. Yields are kept low, and harvesting is done solely by hand. Most of the vines are around 30 years old, some going up to 65 years for the Vinsobres cuvée. The red wines are made from Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre for the AOP; Caladoc, Syrah, merlot for the IGP. The whites are madse from Marsanne, Rousanne, and Viognier for the AOPs, and Chenin, Chasselas, and Vermentino for the IGP.
Olives
The Wines
Vinsobres
2016: 60% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault
Vinsobres La Cadène
2014: Equal shares of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre.
Cotes du Rhone Village Saint Maurice
2015: 80% Grenache, 20% Carignan.
Cotes du Rhone Petit Coquet
2017: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault.
Cotes du Rhone
2016 :Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault.
Cotes du Rhone Blanc La Cadène
2016: Marsanne, Viognier.
IGP Marselan
2016: 100% Marselan.
IGP Pontias
Syrah, Merlot, Marselan
Bye-bye
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