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Les Caves de Rauzan
Rauzan,
situated in the heart of the Entre-Deux-Mers region, has many attractions
for a small village, including its famous Chateau and its large Caves
Co-operatives.
The Chateau de Rauzan has a long and distinguished history dating back to the 13th Century when it was owned by the English, only being released back into French hands at the end of the 100 years war in 1453.
The
Caves Co-operatives de Rauzan has a more recent, but no less distinguished
history. Established during a period of crisis in 1929, the co-operative
movement developed in many regions in France, including that of Entre-Deux-Mers.
In 1933 a group of Rauzan vignerons got together to form a communal "chai".
70 years later, it has become the 'premier' Cave Co-operative of France.
275 members contribute towards an average of 130,000 hectolitres of AOC
(Appellation d'Origine Controlee) wine per annum, or the equivalent of
almost 17.5 million bottles!
Although
a large quantity of wine is produced at the Caves, the main objective
is to produce quality wine. Therefore the wine-making techniques
are decidedly 21st Century, even though the spirit and tradition of Bordeaux
wine-making is retained. The Caves are proud of their rigorous production
techniques, which allow the expression of the 'terroir' and the total
traceability of the wines from vine to bottle. Respect for the consumer
is paramount, as is the protection of the environment.
Working
with the Caves de Rauzan, means our objective of working with family
producers is not comprised, yet we can access larger volumes, not produced
by the family farmers on an individual basis. Our first project with
the Caves has been to produce a fresh, dry, fruity Entre-Deux-Mers white
wine, specially selected for Northern European markets. We have worked
closely with the Caves and our partner Cork A/S in Norway, to produce a
delicious blend of Sauvignon and Semillon grapes.
Jean-Marie
Maurer is the maitre de chai at the Caves de Rauzan. He has a vast experience
of wine production having spent 28 years working at the Caves - the first
of these spent meeting the customer's requirements on the commercial
side, followed by a spell on the 'red' production side, before he took
up the reins working on white and rosé as well.
T: +33 5 57 84 94 75 M:+33 6 71 70 44 20 E: info@france-uncorked.com