Global Wine Spirits - Index

Global Wine Spirits - Bellevue - Index

Radioscopy of Bellevue La Forêt
IMPORTANT DATES :
1974 : Creation of domain.
1975 : Permission to produce under the A.O.C. Côtes de Frontonnais label.
1976 : Construction of a winemaking cellar under the supervision of Professeur Emile PEYNAUD.
1977 : 1 st red A.O.C. vintage.
1978 : 1st botlle of « CHATEAU BELLEVUE LA FORÊT » to be sold.
1981 : Launch of « Ce Vin ».
1983 : Launch of « CHATEAU BELLEVUE LA FORÊT » in rosé.
1990 : Launch of « l’Allégresse ».
1990 : Construction of an underground cellar (400 m 2 ) for oak ageing.
1991 : Diane GERMAIN joins her father in running the company.
1998 : 1 st vintage using micro-oxygenation.
2000 : Construction of a station to treat winemaking waste.
2001 : 1 st vintage of « Optimum » rolled out onto the market in October 2003.
2004 : Acquisition of AFAQ Service Confiance, Qualenvi certification.
2005 : A.O.C. Côtes du Frontonnais becomes A.O.C. Fronton since the 1st of September 2005.
2005 : Launch of « BLF ».
LOCATION : TWO RIVERS, TWO ZONES,
THREE TERRASSES
The winegrowing area around Fronton and Villaudric
borders the Tarn-&-Garonne and Haute-Garonne
administrative zones. This is a small natural, fairly
homogenous entity, as its surface is limited to the
quaternary alluvial terraces of the Tarn’s right bank,
representing three phrases of alluvial formation during
which the river created a series of alluvial plains.
SOIL : NO STRAIN NO GAIN
Two-thirds of the estate of CHATEAU BELLEVUE LA
FORÊT are planted on the upper terrace composed of
alluviums from the primary quaternary era and of smooth
pebbles, a poor and stony soil, in which the vineyard
suffers. This criteria is required to produce quality wines.
CLIMATE :
GONE WITH THE « AUTAN » WIND
Typical of the area of Toulouse, often hot and dry in
summer, and also in autumn during the crush, the climate
of the region ensures low and irregular rainfall. A famous
strong wind also blows here : the dry, hot wind of
“Autan”. All conditions are united in order for the
varieties to thrive, ensuring maturation and concentration
of the grapes, allowing for the production of better wines.
GRAPES VARIETIES :
ONE AND THE OTHERS
The vineyard of CHATEAU BELLEVUE LA FORÊT
comprises 112 hectares including the following
combination of varieties under vine :
� 59 ha of Négrette, a variety specific to our region, found
no where else in the world ;
� 17 ha of Cabernet Franc ;
� 16 ha of Syrah ;
� 13 ha of Cabernet Sauvignon ;
� 7 ha of Gamay.
VITICULTURE : FIRST AND FOREMOST
SKILFULL MANAGEMENT
Mastery is the key word. Environmental-friendly growing,
grassing, yield restriction during berry set, and green
harvesting before veraison.
HARVEST PERIOD :
A RENDEZ-VOUS WITH ANTHOCYANINS
Optimal maturity determines the harvest date confirmed
by the analysis of anthocyanins, polyphenols and berry
tasting.
VINIFICATION : MODERN METHODS…
Winemaking is undertaken at the château according to
traditional Bordeaux production practices (separate
vinification of each variety), combined with the latest
techniques : air-conditioned cellar, limited use of chemical
products, thermo-regulated vinification, microoxygenation
carried out immediately after alcoholic
fermentation, and ageing of the rosés on lees.
WINE STYLES :
TRUE CHARACTERS
� The Négrette grape variety allows for the production of
enticing wines, boasting good aromatic intensity, with
elegance and impressive length.
� The rosés are pleasant and tasty.
� The reds are generous but not over the top.
� "La Cuvée Or" expresses rich and full characteristics.
� "Optimum" is opulent and can be cellar aged.
750 000 botlles per year.
France : 50 %.
Export : 50 %.
SALES
V10-07 2