Mark@his surprise 50th birthday party: October 2005

La Nouvelle Republique carries a profile of Mark Robertson – gentleman rocker (aka Roberston as the NR prefers in its headline). Formerly of North London Mark and Susie moved to Epeigné-les-Bois seven years ago. Last May Mark became the first Briton to be elected onto the Epeigné-les-Bois Conseil Municipal. He and Susie have some 25 ares of vines at 'grand cru' Le Clos Chossay, making Mark the smallest garagiste in Touraine. They had the good fortune make their first wines in 2005. Unfortunately 2008 was a very small vintage with only 15 litres of Sauvignon made – this means that Mark is well under the bar for qualifying to be part of the Sauvignon Blanc project.

'Le grand cru'

The profile explains that Mark used to be the drummer in the seminal group, The Meteors, founded in 1980. Mark is currently involved in arranging Epeigné's first country festival on Sunday 24th May.

Also@Mark's party

8th September 2009: the article is no longer available on the site of La Nouvelle République.

Jacky marshaling his pickers: 11.10.2008

Bunch and hod carrier passing with load of grapes

We dropped over to Montlouis and caught up with Jacky Blot (Domaine la Taille aux Loups, AC Montlouis) and his team of pickers in the middle of harvesting just to the east of Husseau, part of the commune of Montlouis. It is a truly glorious afternoon – clear blue sky and 25˚C. Jacky is naturally thrilled with the weather and the condition of the fruit.

Chenin Blanc grapes@Montlouis: 11.10.08

Chenin Blanc grapes@Montlouis: 11.10.08

Jacky: “We started on the 6th October. At the moment we are making the first selection, which will go into Les Dix Arpents, and leaving those grapes that can go further. In a week’s time we’’ll pass through again and pick grapes that will go into Cuvée Remus. Degrees are between 12.3-13.0 with acidities between 6.6-7. Yields are around 30 hl/ha but, as the fruit is so perfect, we’re not having to throw any grapes away. Normally we have to discard at least 10%. 2008 is going to be a vintage for les grand vins secs.”

Taille aux Loups: old vine Chenin Blanc

Jacky and team@sorting table

Taille aux Loups: checking over grapes

Jacky@the sorting table

He is equally enthusiastic about the prospects for his Bourgueil (Domaine de la Butte). “We are going to check the grapes on Monday and I expect we will start on Thursday. Once we start we can harvest very quickly five days – even four days if we have to. Apart from Pied de la Butte, the Cabernet Franc is already at 13%. Potentially 2008 reds will be a grand vin de garde (one that will age well).”

Postscript: Epeigné’s ‘grand cru’ red picked in a hurry
Jim’s Loire understands that Mark Robertson had to hurriedly pick his reds yesterday before the birds ate the whole crop. Mark had planned to harvest tomorrow but, as all the vineyards around have been picked, the birds descended in force. Hardly convenient as Mark was busy making hectolitres of chocolate mousse for the annual repas des anciens held today in the village hall. It is quite possible that the volume of chocolate mousse will exceed to quantity of Epeigné’s 2008 ‘grand cru’ red.

Towards the 'GC'