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SOUTH-WEST<br />
TERROIRS<br />
DAVID VIGOUROUX TASTING WINES<br />
AT CHÂTEAU BAUDARE<br />
“The influence of terroir on the appellation’s<br />
primary grape variety Négrette is huge. The sand<br />
brings out a mineral edge, the clay instils fruitiness<br />
and the flint adds spice”, he stresses. “It is difficult<br />
to compete with our more famous neighbours<br />
like Bordeaux, but we manage to do so by making<br />
supple, fruity wines that are affordable and more<br />
importantly by promoting them tirelessly”.<br />
CHÂTEAU BELLEVUE LA FORÊT:<br />
THE MARK OF A GIANT<br />
PHILIP GRANT, THE OWNER OF CHÂTEAU BELLEVUE LA<br />
FORÊT<br />
It is not easy to miss Château Bellevue la Forêt.<br />
An iconic landmark in the Fronton appellation<br />
area, this outstanding winery also has the most<br />
extensive footprint with 112 hectares, making it<br />
the largest privately-owned, unbroken expanse<br />
of vines in South-West France. A frequent awardwinner<br />
in national and international competitions,<br />
the winery was taken over in 2008 by<br />
Philip Grant who realised his dream of owning<br />
a vineyard in France after a successful career in<br />
corporate finance. “The chateau is located on a hill<br />
and boasts a unique micro-climate which contributes<br />
to fruit ripening”, explains Grant. “The soils<br />
are mainly pebbles which allows for good drainage<br />
and promotes quality grapes”. The winery<br />
produces several lines, each with its own characters<br />
that vary depending on the vintage, the blend<br />
and winemaking techniques used. Reds account<br />
for 64% of total production, versus 34% for the<br />
rosés, complemented by a small amount of whites.<br />
“Négrette is unique to the Fronton region”, points<br />
out sales representative Marcelin Clergue. “This<br />
specificity can appeal to wine enthusiasts who are<br />
looking for new flavour experiences, complexity,<br />
balance and character, all of which can compete<br />
with more prestigious wine regions. Fronton is<br />
still under-the-radar and offers excellent value for<br />
money for price-sensitive consumers. We absolutely<br />
must promote awareness of our appellation.<br />
Competition between regions must be considered<br />
as an opportunity to explore and celebrate choice<br />
in the marketplace”.<br />
16 AUTUMN 2023 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE
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