Blue Planet: Thrilling new wines from Xaviere Hardy
60km north of Nantes in the village of La Chappelle-Glain, Xaviere Hardy makes nuanced, delicate wines from an isolated 1.5 hectares on blue schist, (hence Les Terres Bleues).
After close analysis of the terroir, and lobbying the local council to allow her to do so: Xaviere planted her vines in 2013. Being the only vineyard for miles around and with no precedent to follow, she focused her efforts on Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Grolleau, trained in the seldom-seen (in the Loire) Albarello style to help with sun exposure.
2022 marked a fairly triumphant year for Xaviere, with three long nights battling the threat of frost in early Spring, the vines remained well-protected. Come summer, with strong heat waves in the region, she dilligently sprayed plants with chamomile and yarrow to help them cope with the drought. Benefitting hugely from the vines being trained on stakes, the height of the canopy created great shade, with the fruit seeing no sign of dehydration.
Good rain two weeks before harvest led to perfect ripening before a beautiful harvest in terms of both quantity and quality. Given the struggles Xaviere has faced in the vines in recent years, working incredibly hard to make the best of a tricky situation, its a true joy to see her finishing a vintage very happy with the resulting fruit.
The wines are a beautiful reflection of a good year, and are available now.
