|  |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | José Ardinat | Country: France Region: Champagne Size: 8.5 hectares Producer: José Ardinat Organic Since: 1971
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| | Background | Winemaking has been in the Ardinat family since 1750 (although likely to date back further), formally under the generations of Dumont, Simon and Faust.
In 1971 the estate underwent conversion to organic principles just prior to José Ardinat starting work at the estate. José trained as a craftsman in wrought iron, but on joining the family business took on his new trade with great passion. Like every self-educated man he was very eager to learn.
Now the vineyards are cultivated by José, his wife Joëlle and their son Christophe - Christophe joined the business after qualifying as a winemaker in 1997 and hopes to continue the family line of organic wine production.
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| | The estate | The vineyard is located in the hills of the Marne Valley on clay soil with varying levels of chalk, rich in magnesium and with a southerly orientation. The vineyard has been planted with 3 different grape-varieties: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. At the moment, the average age of the vines is 22 years.
Of the current 3 Champenois grape varieties, the Pinot Meunier dominates in the Marne valley. This grape responds best to the local climate and soil. By limiting the production and thanks to a short cycle, this grape can achieve an excellent maturation.
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| | Organic philosophy | It was Serge Faust, Joëlle's father, who decided to introduce organic methods in the vineyard in 1971. In those days there were no set paths and Serge had to improvise and experiment. With this he followed the organic methods developed by Lemaire-Boucher. The risk was high as the conversion involved the whole of the business. At first the excitement of discovering a new way of viticulture brought out enthusiasm, but at the same time there was doubt. The difficulties brought the family closer together as they all contributed towards this ambitious project.
When José took over from Serge in 1984, he introduced the organic farming methods from Nature and Progres. Since 1989 the vineyard has been certified by Ecocert.
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| | Products at Vinceremos | | Brut Carte d'Or (75cl, 1.5l or 37.5cl), Cuveé, Demi-Sec, Rosé, Vintage | | ![Products at Vinceremos]() |
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 | Prosecco Frizzante 'Sora Loc', Perlage IGT (Italy) £7.60
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 | Trio Trocken, Stefan Sander 2011 £8.10
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 | Château de Boisfranc AC (Beaujolais) 2009 £8.60
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 | Inzolia, Era IGT 2010/11 £7.10
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 | Sangiovese, Era IGT 2010 £7.10
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