The selected grapes to produce Pouilly-Fumé “Haute Densité” Château de Tracy were slowly and gently pressed to obtain the highest quality must. It was vinified at 20°C and did not go through malolactic fermentation. Pouilly-Fumé “Haute Densité” Château de Tracy was matured in 500 litre, old, wooden vats for a period of nine to 12 months, with regular stirring of the lees to impart texture and complexity.
The vineyard is located in Tracy sur Loire, on the slopes overlooking the Loire River. This wine is produced from high-density vines of 17,000 vines per hectare; the standard density for the appellation is 7,000 vines per hectare. There is more competition between the vines, forcing the roots to dig deeper to draw reserves from the soil. The influence of the terroir is increased, vigour is controlled and the plants are more robust. The specific pruning, debudding and leaf thinning is the result of rigorous research and intensive work on the vines. The vegetation is less dense, less vulnerable to disease and each plant bears a maximum of two or three bunches (the average in the appellation is 10 to 12 bunches). The vines are planted with a south-westerly orientation to provide the maximum exposure to the sun. The clayey flint soil imparts an assertive character to the wines; they are powerful and distinct, while the calcareous Kimmeridgian subsoil produces rich, elegant wines with complex aromas. The vineyard is managed using sustainable practices and the ecological system in the vineyard is meticulously considered. The grapes are handharvested in several triages to ensure the optimal maturity of the berries.
In 1586, by way of marriage, the family inherited Château de Tracy after the first members of the noble Stutt family in France came from Scotland in the fifteenth century to help the future King Charles VII of France during the Hundred Years War. Château de Tracy is still family owned and cultivated today under the leadership of the youngest daughter Juliette d’Assay, producing classically styled, elegant wines using an organic approach.
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