Our News

September 3rd, 2010: 10 days before the harvest in Chateau La Ragotiere

We plan to begin the harvest in 1O days in Chateau de la Ragotiere. The weather is very nice and it's perfect to have a good maturity of the grappes. Let's taste the juice in 2 weeks.

Barrels are getting ready to receive the Chardonnay 2010.

July 28, 2010: Domaine de Bernier 2009 in The Boston Globle

Some appealing tropical aromas; brisk, juicy apple-y fruit; nicely dry and appetizing. Will please a crowd.

The Boston Globe, 7/28/10

August 7, 2010: Chateau de la Ragotiere in The Gazette Montreal (Canada)

Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur lie 2008, Chateau de la Ragotiere, Vieilles Vignes, France.

None of the hallmarks of regular muscadet: no little fizz on the palate, or those bare-bone, lemony notes. This is richer, more full and a touch more dense, but a striking mineral note keeps it fresh. Still only 12 per cent alcohol. If you never quite "got" muscadet, start here. Drink now-2014. Food pairing: Sole and other lighter fish.

Bill Zacharkiw

July 9, 2010: Biodiversity in La Ragotiere

Birds choose our Muscadet vines to nest:

Great exemple of Biodiversity in Ragotiere vineyards

June, 2010: 87 points for Domaine de Bernier 2008

By Josh Raynolds:

Light, bright yellow. Lemon, herbs and lees on the nose. Juicy but dry and focused, with bitter citrus fruit flavors and a hint of warmth. Slightly aggressive on the finish but refreshingly brisk and fat-free. This estate is located neat Nantes and belongs to the same family that owns Chateau de la Ragotiere, in Muscadet. 87

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, ISSUE 150 - MAY/JUNE 2010

Ecological protection of the vineyards of Chateau La Ragotiere

Since April 15th, 2010, the plots of land of Ragotière are protected against insects (eudémys and cochylis moth) by a process of sexual confusion.

The principle is simple:
Spread pheromones (via capsules, photos below) which are going to confuse the issue females and to prevent the reproduction. The population decreases so strongly while keeping auxiliary insects. This technique associated with a mastered natural enherberment allows to keep the biodiversity in the heart of vineyards.

These commitments are all follow-ups and checked within the framework of Terra Vitis (sustainable vinegrowing). This new ecological technique (used only on 2 % of the French vineyard) comes to complete those already organized as the only organic fertilization, the reduction of doses with stimulating of natural defenses and the setting-up of new wooded hedges.

www.terravitis.com

May 4, 2010: 88 points for Chateau La Ragotiere "Black Label" 2008

By Josh Raynolds

Greenish yellow. Pungently spicy aromas of pear, crystallized lemon peel, quinine and ginger. Firm and dry in the mouth, with good energy to the flavors of citrus fruits, minerals and white pepper. Rather austere on the back end, conveying an impression of zesty acidity. Classic Muscadet that will work with all sorts of lighter foods. 88

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, ISSUE150 - MAY/JUNE 2010

February 2010: Our new vintage in The Loire Wine Fair Exhibition

We welcome you at the Loire Wine Fair Exhibition from February 1st to February 3rd, 2010 in Angers (France).

You are invited at our Stand: GRAND PALAIS J 248 to taste our new 2009 vintage.

More information on this exhibition: www.salondesvinsdeloire.com

December 18, 2009: Chateau Ragotiere under snow

This morning we had the surprise to see snow in our vineyard. It's an unusual landscape because of the ocean climate. Last time we had snow was in 2005.

Enjoy the pictures:

October 29, 2009: Fall colours

Harvest is finished except for the "Petit Manseng" which still carry on its ripeness under a great October sun. Our vineyard changes colours and shows differents yellow and ochre. It's beautiful. In a short time leaves will fall and we will start pruning.

September 18, 2009: begining of the harvest

We have had a fantastic summer (hot and sunny). Grapes are now ready to be picked up. No doubt, the 2009 vintage will be a great one!

Chateau La Ragotière in Vinexpo 2009

Vinexpo is THE International Wine Fair which takes place in Bordeaux (France) from June 21 to June 25, 2009.

You are welcome to visit our stand in Bordeaux.

This year, we will be in the great hall : Hall 1, stand D250

Come and visit us!

19/02/2009: The Washington Times for Domaine de Bernier

A Budget Chablis

"Don't drink this one too cold: It's lean and crisp, with apple, pear and quince flavoirs that open as it warms. A budget Chablis."

By Dave McIntyre, December 3, 2008.

28/01/2009: Chardet in the Irish Times : January 24, 2009.

All white on the night

"Chardet 2007, Vin de Pays du Val de Loire. Made from an incongruous-sounding blend of Muscadet and Chardonnay by Château de la Ragotière, one of the leading Muscadet producers, this makes you wonder why more producers don't try it. It has crisp, focussed green fruits, with a lovely tart minerality. I could see myself quaffing copious quantities of this with a plateful of oysters, or a bowl of moules. If you want to push the boat out a little further, the Muscadet is even better." The entire article of The Irish Times 2009

by jwilson@irishtimes.com

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times: www.irishtimes.com

A must-go event: The Salon des Vins de Loire : February 2, 3 and 4, 2009.

We invite you to visit us in the annual Salon des Vins de Loire in Angers (France) from February 2nd till February 4th 2009.
You are welcome on our Stand : Les Frères Couillaud: J252 Grand Palais.

For futher information: www.salondesvinsdeloire.com

11/12/2008: Chardonnay Domaine de Bernier in Bon Appétit Magazine (December 2008)

20 Wines for $10 or less

"We're thrilled each time we discover a fantastic wine at a price we can quite literally swallow, and right now it's easier than ever to find good, reasonably priced bottes. Here are 20 of our favorites for $10 or less." By Heather John www.bonappetit.com

Domaine de Bernier Chardonnay:

This excellent Chardonnay from the Loire Valley is rich with grapefruit and lemon.

18/11/2008: Muscadet Chateau La Ragotière on the cover of the Wine Spectator (October 2008)

Our Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie Château de la Ragotière is put on the front page of the famous Wine Spectator. The Couillaud brothers Muscadet obtain 89 points: an excellent value!

"Among white wines, light-style Muscadets and full-bodied Vouvrays from the Loire Valley are some of France's most distinctive values." October 15, 2008 (page 55)

17/10/2008
Special award for the Couillaud Brothers

Château de la Ragotière received the first prize of the "Dynamique Agricole" organized by the "Banque Populaire Atlantique". A fantastic award for the Couillaud Brothers. The jury has emphasized the innovation and the quality of the wines, especially of the Muscadet.

10/10/2008

The harvest is now finished.

We harvested from September 25th to October 8th, under a wonderful sun. The climate was ideal to pick up the grapes and the quality of the juice will surely produce a fantastic 08 vintage.

18/09/2008

The harvest will soon begin…

This sunny week comes on time to obtain an optimal maturity for the harvest.

Picture of our Sauvignon Gris taken the 5th of September 2008 when the color of the grape began to turn pink.