M. Chapoutier, Banyuls AOC, Vin Doux Naturel

About M. Chapoutier

The Chapoutier family can trace their history in the Rh ne region back to 1808, but it was in 1879 when Polydor Chapoutier bought his first vineyards and started the actual business. In 1977, Chapotier's sons, Michel Chapoutier and Marc Chapoutier took over the family estate. Some years later, during the 1980s, quality has significantly improved, under Michel Chapoutier's leadership over the vineyards and winemaking facilities. By the late 1980s, Chapoutier had started to receive considerable international attention for the quality of their wines'. Chapoutier produces wines from a range of appellations in northern and southern Rh ne, as well as from some Roussillon appellations, and from collaborative projects in Australia and Portugal. Another key feature of Chapoutier vineyards is the production of biodynamic wines. A further characteristic of Chapoutier is a preference for single-variety wines, also from those appellations where blends are common. Thus, Chapoutier's C te-R ties are Syrah only (without Viognier), the white Hermitages are all Marsanne only (with no Roussanne) and several of the Ch teauneuf-du-Papes are Grenache noir only. Today, there are 4 groups present at the winery. The two basic levels are referred to as 'D couverte' and 'Tradition', the intermediate level 'Prestige', and the top-level 'Fac&Spera'. Over the decades Chapoutier has become a champion of the white wines from those of northern Rh ne appellations more known for red wines and produces many ambitious white wines from such appellations. Of the fifteen wines in the 'Fac&Spera' range, ten are red and five white, including one sweet white wine, a Hermitage Vin de Paille.