Le Triskèle Holiday CottagesBlog

Domaine du Grand Lopin

17470 - Cognac, Pineau des Charentes and Vins de Pays Charente's in Le Triskèle’s postcode!

Blog - Domaine du Grand Lopin

Literally a five minute drive from Villemorin is Domaine du Grand Lopin, a family-run vineyard which on its 23 hectares of vineyards produces Cognac, Pineau des Charentes and a range of Vins de Pays Charentais, including Cabernet, Sauvignon, Merlot, Colombard, Uni Blanc, Chardonnay and Montil. Since 1850, five generations of the Gaillou family have worked according to the motto, “le raisin ne quitte pas la propriété” (“The grapes do not leave the property”). In other words, everything is done on site; from harvesting, winemaking, distillation, and ageing through to bottling.

Domaine du Grand Lopin boasts a magnificent antique copper-still, which dominates the rather slight room in which it is housed, in which the cognac is double-distilled in accordance with the Charentaise method. The three essential components are the boiler, a traditional “tête de maure” (so named because it resembles the shape of a Moor’s head, replete with a turbon) shaped still head, and a swan’s neck tube that ultimately coils inside a cooling tank. The entire contraption reminds one of an old gramophone; though one which produces very different notes.

Domaine du Grand Lopin’s Cognac is produced through a two-stage distillation process, drawing upon the precision that derives from decades of experience, and the dedication that ensures timely intervention where required. After the higher-alcohol content ‘heads’ - the first literes obtained from the ‘Bonne Chauffe’ (second distillation) - are ‘cut’ (“la coupe”), the alcohol content on the distillate gradually reduces, leaving the ‘heart’.

The ‘heart’ of the ‘Bonne Chauffe’ is then placed in oak barrels to begin ageing, and to lose some three per cent in evaporation per year; known as the ‘Angel’s share’. With all these steps taking place on-site, the classic smells of Cognac - nuts, vanilla and caramel – linger and drift throughout the distillery.

The Domaine du Grand Lopin also produce Pineau des Charentes (often referred to simply as ‘Pineau’) which is a fortified wine (‘vin de liqueur’) made from lightly-fermented grape must mixed with Cognac. The later process is referred to as "assemblage" (assembly or blending), which ends the fermentation of the grape; a process known as “mutage”.

In its winemaking, Domaine du Grand Lopin upholds the values and traditions of Vigneron Independant (Independent Winegrowers), which represents "authentic wines and personalities." The charter of Vigneron Independent emphasises that the independent winegrower must respect their soil, cultivate their wines, harvests their grapes and bottles their production in their cellar.

Most importantly, those who uphold the Charter accept to better themselves “in the respect of tradition” and takes pleasure “to present the results of his work and cultivation.” There are few finer advocates for Vigneron Independant des France than Domaine du Grand Lopin.

Proclaiming us Independent Winegrowers, we assume our values: responsibility, commitment and professionalism.

We are responsible because we totally assume the quality of our work.

We execute it with care and competence, respectful of the environment and with the objective to satisfy our customers.

We are committed as we have chosen to use innovative work habits, without denaturing the patrimony we preserve and defend.

We are professionals because we perfectly know our profession, from the vineyard management to welcoming and selling our wines to our clients.

We represent an independent vision of French viticulture and our profession.

Please click here to learn more about Domaine du Grand Lopin!

To receive regular updates from Le Triskele, please send an email with 'Subscribe' in the title to LeTriskeleCottages@gmail.com.