Côte Roannaise

Grower Profiles


Claudy Néron

L’Eden du Muid
Claudy is part of the winemaking dynasty of Nérons that have worked the slopes of Villemontais for the past 350 years. His cousins make wine in the next cellar up the road. Having taken over from his father, who is now in his late 70s, in 1997, he is now responsible for tending the families herd of sheep and four hectares of vines.

The family vineyard, a continuous 3.3 hectare parcel, is situated below the house and cellar. The vines here consist of Gamay planted between 9 and 50 years ago, and a quarter of a hectare of Chardonnay established in the early 1990s. In addition, he rents a further .75 hectares from another vigneron within the same commune. All the vineyards here are trellised and harvested mostly by hand.

WINE OVERVIEW:
To walk into the ground floor cellar-cum-barn, one is struck by the paradoxical juxtaposition of the ancient, vertical basket press, bought second hand by Claudy’s father in 1971, positioned against one of the walls, whilst standing alongside is the magic silver box of the thermovinification machine. The vinification is a little more conventional (and traditional) with the wines fermenting (although he elects to use the cultured L2056 ‘Côtes du Rhône’ yeast strain) and ageing in old large oak foudres in the barn cellar.

THE WINES:
Between 10 and 15% of the production is vinified as an early drinking (but not particularly distinguished) saignée rosé, although the main focus is on the two different red wines, one fruité the other one corsé. The ‘Cuvée Découverte’ is made for earlier drinking, whilst the ‘Cuvée du Vieux Pothier’ is from the 50 year old vines. The Chardonnay Vin de Pays is a bit dilute and ages prematurely. Claudy also sells en vrac to négociants. These are functional wines, but little more.

Claudy Néron
La Rochette
Villemontais
T/F: + 33 4 77 63 15 10
P: + 33 6 77 42 07 75
Claudy.neron@free.fr

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