“Culture raisonnée” is a form of vine growing that is not quite organic, but almost. They try and reduce the use of pesticides and other substances as much as possible but they do treat in very difficult conditions, when otherwise the grapes would be spoilt. The first (to our knowledge) competition for culture raisonnée was recently held and the results were announced on the world earth day in April. Four white wines won gold medal: Champalou (Vouvray), Domaine Guinand (VdP d’Oc), Chateau Magneua “Julien” (Graves) and Domaine Corsin VV (St Véran). Three rosé wines were awarded gold: Bruno Ménard (Cabernet d’Anjou), Chateau Camplong (Corbières, Languedoc), and Emmanuel Rybinski (rosé Troteligotte, VdP du Lot). Also three reds won gold: Domaine du Colombier/Vigenrons de Laudun (C de Rhône), Château Franc Couplet (Bordeaux), and Domaine de la Roche Cattin (Jarlotiers (Beaujolais). More info here. More info here.
