TERRIGEOL'S VINEYARDS
Nowadays, Terrigeol’s family is overseeing a vineyard of 88 hectares subdivided in 3 designations:
- 60 hectares in AOC Blaye and Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux
- 28 hectares in AOC Cognac and AOC Pineau des Charentes.
The wine is marketed as “Chateau des Matards” contrary to the Cognac and the Pineau des Charentes which are known under the name of “Domaine de la Margotterie”.
LE CHATEAU DES MATARDS
The vineyard Chateau des Matards is composed of 50 hectares in designation Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux and Bordeaux.
25 hectares of red grapes are dedicated to produce red and rosé wine. The Merlot is planting on sandy-gravel soils but also on gravelly-clay and calcareous-clay terroirs. The Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape variety which is raising on gravelly-clay grounds only.
25 hectares of white grapes are used for producing white wine. There are mostly composed of sauvignon blanc on a sandy-gravel and gravelly-clay soil and only one hectare of muscadelle on a sandy-gravel terroir.
All of these terroirs allowed us to vinify different wines.
LE DOMAINE DE LA MARGOTTERIE
Le Domaine de la Margotterie is composed of 28 hectares in designation AOC Cognac and AOC Pineau des Charentes.
80 % of the Charente’s vine is white Ugni, it is the most renowned grape variety for the production of brandy. It is true that the white ugni is producing an acidity which is turning out to be really important for the preservation and the ageing process of the brandy. Indeed, the cognac is a spirits based only on wine without any preservatives agents added. That is the reason why, it is absolutely necessary to select a grape which permitting an optimal oak barrel ageing.
The secondary scents of the White Ugni are very interesting during brandy distillation, gathered with some copper; they enable to obtain a high aromatic quality product.
Moreover, the presence of the white merlot and the Colombard are really an advantage for highlighting the production of Pineau des Charentes.
The soils of the Domaine de la Margotterie are mainly silty-clay, which can be an advantage or the contrary. Indeed, even if the clay grounds are renowned as being fertile, allowing the vines raising, nevertheless, because of their mineral wealth, they are really hard to work on due to their waterproof and thick’s hallmark.
GRAPES VARIETIES - BLAYE CÔTES DE BORDEAUX
- The Merlot (60%): A fruity grape variety which permits a young wine tasting.
- The Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) brings fine and spicy tannins which contribute to the structure and the development of aromas after few years in bottle.
- The Cabernet Franc and the Malbec (10%) take part in the frame structure and ensure a good aging.
- The Sauvignon is the grape variety par excellence of Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, designation in which it is the most used one. In general, gathered with others, it is illustrated by broom and peach aromas when it is vivificated and raising in tank.
- The Muscadelle and the Sémillon bring greasy and fruits.
- The White Merlot and the Colombard bring up strong scents and a a soft sweetness.
THE CLIMATE
The region of the vineyard enjoys as a whole a temperate climate. The estuary generates a quite high humidity rate, reinforced by maritime entrances coming from the ocean. This, associated with a national above-average duration of sunshine, that is to say around 240 sunny days yearly, gives to the region a very favorable climate for the production of high quality wines.
