Coteaux du Layon 1er Cru, “Chaume”

The exceptional Chaume vineyard produces the grandest wine of Soucherie. The vineyards border the Layon river and are often swathed in an early morning fog. The soil is clay and schist. The special micro-climate that exists in Chaume creates a tendency for botrytis to develop and the grapes from this vineyard in Chaume are almost always blessed with 100% botrytis. Harvest is done by multiple passes through the vineyard that can frequently cover several weeks of work. The wine is fermented in barrel (about one-third of which is new) and then spends 18 months in barrel for the élevage. We purchase approximately 1,200 bottles per year for the US market.