André Clouet / Jean François Clouet
We didn’t find the low house, dating from the 17th century, straight away, even though the village of Bouzy is not very large. Modest buildings are grouped around a courtyard, behind which a vineyard lies, similar to a clos.
But first of all, Jean François Clouet, last scion of this old family that is traceable to the court of Louis XV, guided us to an elevation. We found ourselves above Bouzy on the south side of the Montagne de Reims range of hills. Jean François points westwards: In 451 AD, Attila the Hun came riding from that direction and it was here that he met the army of the Western Roman Empire. But today, instead of a battlefield, a tranquil sea of vines stretches towards the horizon.
The commune of Bouzy enjoys Grand cru status. The best Pinot Noir for champagne production grows here. The Clouet family is the proud owner of eight hectares of outstanding vineyards. Each plot is vinified separately. A portion is fermented and developed in used Sauternes casks from Château Doisy-Daëne, which lends the wines a very special aroma and flavour.
Jean François is self-confident but likeable, and of the opinion that his champagnes are among the best, which the champagne indeed bears out. Well, we’re convinced that with his wines’ unmistakeable character, he is able to supply the water – sorry, champagne – to many a famous name. We would be delighted were he to remain an insider’s tip, and therefore also remain excellent value in terms of price!
Producer
Viñedos Terranoble
Soon after their arrival, the first Spanish colonists were already remarking the ideal vine growing conditions in Chile. In this country of great contrasts, embedded between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, the many wine regions differ significantly through micro-climate, topography and altitudes, and geological properties. TerraNoble owns vineyards in three different regions and so can provide different varieties with the most suitable growing conditions.
Az. Agr. Rivella Silvia
In 2010, to crown a dream of the experienced oenologist Guido Rivella (Oenologist at Angelo Gaja for decades), who was born in Montestefano / Barbaresco, the Azienda Agricola Silvia Rivella, named after his daughter, was founded.
Nautilus Estate
In the stunningly beautiful wine-growing region of Marlborough, located in the north-easternmost corner of New Zealand's South Island, the Nautilus Estate of Marlborough, founded in 1985, produces expressive, structured and precise wines inspired by the mathematically perfect spiral of the nautilus shell (sea snail).