Winegrower Burgundy
Domaine Robert-Denogent :For exactly 20 years, Jean-Jacques and Annita have associated their name with that of Denogent (grandfather) and have continued to cultivate 6.12 hectares of vines, to which are added several contracts with neighbours who have well-established vine growing skill, in the appellations of Saint Vérand and Mâcon. Their wines appeal to a largely international clientele. Given this family impetus, Nicolas, their son, has also chosen to work in the wine business. The dynasty is now strengthened.
Robert Tinlot: The wine market is extremely difficult these days. How have you managed to overcome the crisis and constitute a loyal clientele?In your view, what are the qualities of good grapes?
We seek to make well-structured, rich, full-bodied wines. Therefore, our grapes are hand-picked, fairly late, in order to gather a very ripe crop. We sort the harvest and do not de-stem, but make the wine using whole bunches. Each wine corresponds to a specific terroir. We have a pneumatic press, so it is gentle with the grapes and in keeping with local tradition we carry out our fermentations in barrels. We buy a third of new barrels each year, so our barrels are used for one to three wines. The lees are stirred up in the barrels from time to time and the wine is bottled after 18 months. Our winemaking methods are identical for the grapes we buy from our winegrower friends in the neighbouring appellations Saint Vérand and Mâcon (white).Are your methods influenced by adherence to traditions?
Firstly, we have demanding customers who guide us and provide reassurance. I think traditions should be respected, this is the requirement of the appellation of origin, but it should not be confused with continuing bad habits. From winemaking science it is essential to seek what helps us understand natural processes in order to make a wine that expresses its terroir. Nature is also capable of making vinegar, so we need to provide ideal conditions for making a wine that ultimately correspond to what consumers want and in fact they seek the same quality that has established the reputation of the appellation. Eminent forebears who built up this reputation are in a way our models, and in following their example we respect the wishes of our clientele. Reforms imposed by the INAO (National Institute for Appellations of Origin), the creation of specifications and ODGs (organizations for protection and management) should not lead to the standardisation of wines. We must convey our style to our wines and choose winemaking methods that enable us to achieve excellence from the range available to us. For example, we see no interest in adopting the screw cap or plastic cork. Cork is taken from a tree which contributes in a positive way to the amount of carbon emissions and when we select our corks, we seek the finest qualities. We are not guided by price, but by the satisfaction we will find in having perfect corks. In this way we have no problem.Tell us about your lucky customers?
We export 80% of our production. The United States is in first position. We have representatives in all the states. After the USA and Canada, Europe is also a good market: Belgium, the United Kingdom, as well as Switzerland and Germany, where we sell our white wines even though these two countries are highly reputed for their own white wines. We also export to Italy and Spain. Beyond Europe, we export to China, in particular Shanghai, and we even have a market in India. In France our wines are aimed for wine shops and top-quality restaurants, especially Michelin-starred establishments. Our basis is the appellation of origin and our name guarantees the style of our wines.The surrounding landscape of your domain is magnificent!
Yes, we chose winegrowing even though our studies and previous professions (I am a jurist and my wife was an inspector for the Department of Health) could have led us to a far more urban existence. But the world of wine is a sphere filled with people who are passionate about their job, and with each passing year they strive to succeed with each new vintage. It is a sector that evolves and offers opportunities for liberty and conviviality in an exceptional setting such as the place we find ourselves now, in Fuissé.Domaine Robert-Denogent
71960 Fuissé
Tél. : 03 85 35 65 39
Fax : 03 85 35 66 69