Winegrowers’ Portraits Vacqueyras
In Vacqueyras, in the heart
of the Côtes du Rhône
The House Arnoux
focuses on export In six years, this wine growers family will commemorate three centuries of work in service of the wine in the Vaucluse region. An important date that the two accomplice and complementary brothers Marc and Jean-François Arnoux would like to celebrate by imposing their very complete range on the foreign markets without betraying their commitment to this terroir and a quality production.
Jean-François et Marc Arnoux au pied de ce clocher qui est le symbole de leur maison viticole That day harvest was at its peak. Marc Arnoux, the oenologist of the family, was closely supervising the arrival of the grapes, joined a team of grape pickers and also took the time to enjoy the light of the sunset over the Dentelles de Montmirail and beyond over the Mont Ventoux, the famous giant of the Provence.
For his part Jean-François, his younger brother in charge of the marketing, was drawing the last lessons from the domain's participation in Vinexpo Hong Kong. An important step:
“We initiated good contacts but I am conscious it is a matter of patience. The investment made for this occasion will born fruit within three to four years...” The development of the international market today comes first for him.
“We are getting more structured by setting up ambassadors for our wines. That is what we do in China, Japan, United States, Brazil and even Europe. Until now we used to run this last market directly by ourselves, now we rely on this support. The particularity of this new organization is it benefits other winemakers who share our philosophy of quality. Bringing our efforts together with the Domaine des Deux Roches (Burgundy), the Domaine d'Antugnac (Languedoc) and the House Gremillet (Champagne) makes us much more stronger and present in big fairs.” But Jean-François Arnoux is a man of the land as well.
“In two years I have also planted 5 hectares of vines keeping in mind to preserve the typicity of this terroir. It has to be said that since ten years the appellation Vacqueyras has made a leap forward. It especially gained elegance while keeping its good quality/price ratio. That is the course we try to hold by making continuously new investments.”The cuvée 1717 our jewel;
the 2009 vintage a reference
And for Marc Arnoux, investing in autumn 2010 ment acquisition of a new tronconic vat made by Vicard. A purchase that was profitable for the cuvée 1717, a date full of symbols. That year, Lord François de Castellane, de Lauris, de Vassadel, de Gérard, Chevalier Marquis d’Ampuis de Lagneroux, bequeathed a plot of vines to Pierre Bovis, the family Arnoux' ancestor.
“This cuvée”, his descendant explains,
“is our jewel since 2003. It keeps the fruit and whilst concentrated it shows itself supple thanks to the ageing in wood during 20 to 24 months. The maturing is combined with a fortnightly stirring of the lees in the barrel à la bourguignonne. We produce only three to five thousand bottles of every vintage. The 2009 is going to be wonderful. But we will have to be patient until the end of spring.” All in all it is the whole 2009 vintage that gives satisfaction to the House Arnoux.
“It is a vintage with high concentration. The Grenache and Syrah are well-balanced and express all their potential. It has to be said that we have been making loads of efforts over the last years. We keep on reducing the use of treatments by favouring integrated farming. The harvest is partially destemed, vatting time is longer, temperatures are better controlled. This can be felt in the glass. Our wines are less harsh, less herby, easier to drink young. These long vatting times give them silkier tannins.” A satisfaction at the moment that lets think anyway about the future to preserve the level of excellence. Excellence that has been worth gold medals for the Vacqueyras presented during the Concours Général Agricole of Paris and a 93/100 mark in the Parker guide for the 2007 vintage of the cuvée 1717.
“Of course we view a conversion into organic, it is an asset on the American market. It is also necessary to foresee the building of a new ageing-cellar that would be less hemmed in the village without leaving it. Vacqueyras is the cradle of our House. At last beyond the different appellations that we produce directly or with the help of about fifty partner wine growers, it surely is on this terroir that we want to develop…” As for their succession, the two brothers do not think about it yet.
“We have ten more years to live from our passion” they come out with in a broad grin.
Jean Bernard
Maison Arnoux & Fils
Place de l'église
84190 Vacqueyras
Tel : 04-90-65-84-18
www.arnoux-vins.com
11 000 euros pour l’achat d’une cuve tronconique où s’épanouit
la cuvée 1717
La mission de Jean-François Arnoux est désormais de faire mieux connaître les vins de la maison à l’étranger.
