The grape vine
Selection of the best grape vine: Mas Chichet shares a similar, yet basic idea with many other winemakers in the world that the best balance of tannins and aromas is obtained from productions that yield 50 Hl hectares.
Productions any higher than this can result in diluted tannins and aromas and anything less can cause concentrated or unbalanced effects.
Research has been concentrated on two areas:
- Firstly, on the vineyard itself, trying out numerous grafts and different grape varieties in several clone versions. Trials were carried out on Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonay, Pinot, Gamay, Sauvignon and Mourvedre.
- Secondly, the study of real life examples, either those carried out by other winemakers in France or by agricultural development organisms, notably the Chamber of Agriculture.
The two Cabernets (Sauvignon and Franc) and the Merlot did not take long to reveal their excellent adaptation to the land (clay silt) and climate. To this day the vineyards are planted with
- Grenache noir
- Syrah
- Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cabernet Franc
Vineyard culture
Mas Chichet has fixed itself two objectives in the wine growing process:
To obtain a wine as natural as possible and to treat vine diseases by prevention rather than curing.
Daily maintenance of a vineyard in an area greatly influenced and affected by the sea air is not always easy and whilst there is no pretence at being organic, each action has been thought through carefully and thoroughly beforehand, taking into account the effects the action may have on both the “healer” and the “patient”.
Mas Chichet has opted for mechanical cultivation, with deep labour of the inter row. The row is weeded at the start of the growing period only.The vines are treated according to a preventive plan of action, using active materials that respect the vine and also the surrounding plants and local wildlife. The health of the vine is regularly checked up on throughout its life. Depending on the diseases present and their strength, we usually treat 7 to 8 times in the year.
Optimal harvesting
If Mas Chichet has been able to produce big and healthy grapes it is not only due to yield control and well managed growing, but also specific actions such as night harvesting (the grape is more fragile in the heat) The workers are also all on-site trained on the total respect of the vineyard and its harvesting. There is no use of outside professional services.
