Good prospects: visiting Domaine de Chambleau in Colombier

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As Charlotte Burgat (27) proves, there is a young blood in the Neuchâtel wine scene that promotes local specialties and supports new ideas.

Blick wine editor Isabelle Thürlemann-Brigger met the wine expert at the family winery Domaine de Chambleau in Colombier NE.

pure nature

The road to Domaine de Chambleau passes through a secluded area, with flower meadows to the left and right of the road. The picturesque landscape includes the Alps and Lake Neuchâtel, which provides a mild microclimate. The ideal world that comes to the winery continues. It sprouts and blooms as far as the eye can see.

There is a reason for this: “We are fully committed to organic farming and are currently working on moving to Demeter biodynamics”. You can see and hear: bok choy is used as a green manure, and it blooms bright yellow in spring, butterflies fly and insects buzz in the air. As a result, Burgatlar and his team harvest as gently as possible, namely by hand. This care and attention to detail can be felt in the lovingly furnished rooms as well as in the vineyard.

100% Neuchatel

It’s the first year since the Charlotte family returned to the farm of father Louis-Philippe (57) and mother Valérie (56). Prior to that, he earned his spurs at the national viticulture and winemaking center in Changins and gained practical experience at wineries in Switzerland, Meursault (Burgundy) and New Zealand (Waipara). «The choice of these wine regions was not accidental, they are Pinot noir castles. This grape variety is the flagship of our winery and we grow it in all its varieties,” says a native of Neuchâtel.

Despite tasting wine abroad, she remains committed to the local wine culture. Chasselas Non Filtré, Rosé Oeuil de Perdrix and from him Blanc de Noir, Oueil der Perdrix blanche have a long history in the canton and are especially close to its heart. Rightfully so, Oeuil de Perdrix 2022 recently took the podium as the best Swiss rose in the Swiss BioVino 2023 competition. A perfect copper red summer wine: aromas of wild strawberry, melon and peach are carried with an elegant acidity and smooth texture.

this location

Based on the Burgundian model, characteristic wines from Pinot noir and Chardonnay are pressed in Colombier. Burgats directs the balancing act of harmoniously combining the enriching wood accents from aging in oak barrels with the fine nuances of terroir. Examples of this from the Pinot noir range are the enchanting Les Bovardes 2019 or the fresh La Gavotte 2022. These are dense and delicate wines that show storage potential and will still be enjoyable in a few years.

“We do not filter Pinot noir in the belief that it will remain more authentic, flavorful and long-lasting,” the third-generation winemaker explains. Their “baby” Pinot noir nature 2022 is very accessible. All natural, wineed in the cellar with just a few interventions, a picnic with local cheeses in the nearby lake makes you want to.

Source : Blick