Dominique Piron
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Dominique Piron Morgon Côte du Py is grown on the most revered climat of Morgon, which itself is generally regarded as one of the two greatest of the 10 crus of Beaujolais. The climat runs to about 180ha, of which the estate owns 9.2ha. The average age of Piron’s vines is around 55-60 years.
The sloped vineyard takes in all aspects but Piron’s vines mainly face east and southeast. Typically for Beaujolais, vines are planted with 10,000 vines per hectare (1m x 1m) and are pruned in gobelet.
Most of the Côte du Py is composed of what geologists call “blue stones”. This was created between 400 and 360 million years ago, so it’s much older than the granite here. Stones are generally blue but sometimes pink or red. These soils are full of magnesium and not as acid as granite, with more clay content, meaning they’re richer and can keep more humidity. Sometimes they’re called “schistes” because in some places the rocks have been compressed and are more “flattened”.
Blue-stone terroirs produce great wines with Gamay. They’re stronger and more powerful, but also complex and mineral. Other blue stone terroirs in Beaujolais are found in Côte de Brouilly and Juliénas, and makes wines which can be kept for 20 to 30 years.
The domaine destems the bunches and gives extended maceration with pumpovers and plunging, Macerations can last three weeks at controlled temperatures.
The wine is mostly aged in concrete and stainless steel but with 25% going into young French oak barrels. After one year, the different parts are selected carefully and blended together. Then the wine spends one more year in bottle before being sold.