Nature’s Touch: The Wines of Domaine de Belliviere

Domaine de Belliviere is located about 30 miles north of Tours, France, in the AOC regions of Jasnières and Coteaux-du-Loir. These areas are known for being the northernmost vineyards in the Loire Valley.

Eric Nicolas and his wife Christine began their journey into viticulture in 1994 when they rented 3.5 hectares of vineyard land. However, they faced a harsh setback the following year when a severe frost wiped out their entire crop. This early loss was compounded when the vineyard owner decided to reclaim the land, leaving the Nicolas couple without a vineyard.

Despite these challenges, the couple found crucial support from Louis Derré, a retired vigneron and their neighbor. Louis generously introduced them to his friends and other vineyard owners in the region, many of whom were willing to lease their vines to the Nicolas family. This network of support helped Eric and Christine gradually increase their holdings.

Over the years, the Nicolas family worked hard to cultivate their vineyards, focusing on old vines and expanding their estate. Their dedication led them to acquire a total of 18 hectares scattered across more than 70 parcels in six villages. This diverse planting strategy, which includes a majority of Chenin Blanc and a smaller percentage of Pineau d'Aunis, reflects their commitment to the unique terroir of the region.

Viticulture:
The Nicolas family practices biodynamic viticulture and has been certified since 2011. They emphasize natural methods, using sélection massale (mass selection) rather than clones, and maintain a vine density of 9,300 vines per hectare. They also have an experimental plot with a density of 40,000 vines per hectare to study root system development and terroir influence.

Winemaking:
Winemaking at Domaine de Belliviere involves hand-picking grapes, often in multiple passes during suitable years for botrytis. Each parcel is vinified individually in barrels of various shapes and sizes, allowing for precise blending decisions. Fermentations are done with native yeasts, and the wines often retain some residual sugar, resulting in off-dry styles that enhance complexity.

Facilities:
Originally, the domaine utilized cellars carved into the tuffeau limestone. In 2015, they built a modern winemaking facility designed for gravity-fed processes. This allows for meticulous handling of grapes, with pressing on the second floor and fermentation in barrels located in lower levels.

Wines Produced:
Domaine de Belliviere produces a range of wines, primarily white from Chenin Blanc.

Their offerings include:

• Jasnières:

  • Prémices: A selection of fruit-forward wines fermented in old barrels.
  • Les Rosiers: Mid-range cuvée from younger vines, fermented in old barrels with some new oak.
  • Calligrame: A selection from old vines (50+ years) with a small proportion of new oak.

• Coteaux-du-Loir:
  • L'Effraie and Vieilles Vignes Éparses: Similar in style to the Jasnières wines.
  • Rouge-Gorge: Made from Pineau d'Aunis, the only permitted red grape.
  • Hommage à Louis Derré: A special cuvée from 100-year-old Pineau d'Aunis vines, produced in exceptional years.

They also create unique Vin de France, such as a sparkling Chenin Blanc called Les P'tits Vélos and a Gamay named Pollux.

Future Directions:
The region faces challenges like frost, mildew, and hail, which have historically affected yields. Despite these obstacles, the Nicolas family remains committed to quality and innovation. They have formed a cooperative with local vignerons to combat frost damage through shared resources like wind turbines. With Clément's fresh perspective, the family is excited about exploring new possibilities in both viticulture and winemaking.

Domaine de Belliviere is dedicated to producing high-quality, biodynamic wines that reflect the unique terroir of their northern Loire vineyards, driven by a passion for the land and its heritage.