Domaine des Berthiers - Pouilly-Fumé: Where Flint Meets Finesse
Located in the heart of the Pouilly-Fumé appellation, Domaine des Berthiers is steeped in the history of prominent Loire Valley winemaking families. Founded in 1955 by Jean-Claude Dagueneau, a legend who put Pouilly-Fumé on the map, the estate saw his son Didier Dagueneau continue the family's legacy.
However, when Jean-Claude's health declined, Domaine des Berthiers was sold and became a part of Domaine Fournier. Over three generations, the Fourniers expanded their holdings in Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, and Menetou-Salon (from 2 to 60 hectares).
Finally in 2015, the Villebois family took the reins of Fournier Père & Fils, which included Domaine des Berthiers. Committed to the estate's future success, the Villebois family continues to build upon its rich heritage.
Sculpting Wines with Minerality
Domaine des Berthiers' vineyards hold a special treasure: flintstone terroir. Found only in the higher elevations around the Butte de St-Andelain, this unique soil shapes their wines in profound ways.
This Silex terroir, dating back to the Upper Cretaceous period, is composed of silica-rich flint that stores and reflects heat. This singular soil imparts a distinctive minerality and flinty aroma to the wines, creating chiselled, refined expressions of Sauvignon Blanc that are celebrated worldwide.
The Silex soil is the foundation for their two cuvées, each one an expression of the subtle nuances this soil imparts.
Winemaking
The domaine harvest only when the grapes are at perfect maturity. To optimise freshness of the juice it is rapidly transferred to the cellar where they are delicately pressed. The pressed must is then cold stabilized and left for 8 days in contact with the lees.
Following racking, both Cuvées ferment at low temperatures. Cuvée Saint-Adelain ages for 6 months on fine lees in neutral oak barrels. Cuvée d'Eve enjoys a longer aging period of 10 months on fine lees, with 30% of the wine aged in new French oak barrels.
A Feminine Expression of Sauvignon Blanc
At Domaine des Berthiers, the final say lies not just with the winemaker. Evelyne Dagueneau, along with other women of the estate, hold the power to decide when a wine is ready for bottling. This unique tradition ensures that every bottle captures the essence of refinement and finesse, a quality Evelyne developed during her time, with her wines gracing the finest Parisian tables.
The influence of the women at Domaine des Berthiers translates into their wines. Their Pouilly-Fumé is a departure from the bold style sometimes associated with Sauvignon Blanc. Instead, it's an expression of elegance and finesse, a testament to the meticulous care and unique terroir that defines Domaine des Berthiers.