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  7. Understanding The Mind Of The Soil A Walk With Vincent Charlot In His Biodynamic Champagne Vineyards

Understanding "The Mind of the Soil" -- A Walk With Vincent Charlot in His Biodynamic Champagne Vineyards.

by gwendolyn alley (USA)

France

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Near Mardeuil, France, biodynamic Champagne winemaker Vincent Charlot holds his most precious asset: healthy soil. To make the best champagne, Charlot says he must "understand the mind of the soil.” Biodynamic practices direct Charlot in how to listen and learn from the soil in his vineyards.
Near Mardeuil, France, biodynamic Champagne winemaker Vincent Charlot holds his most precious asset: healthy soil. To make the best champagne, Charlot says he must "understand the mind of the soil.” Biodynamic practices direct Charlot in how to listen and learn from the soil in his vineyards.
Because of intensive pesticide use, Champagne may have the most polluted water in France -- and the world. Charlot uses organic remedies to build strength in vines via chalky soil. “When you have soil like this, the roots are deep,” says Charlot. “Just like a person — more balanced, less sick.”
Because of intensive pesticide use, Champagne may have the most polluted water in France -- and the world. Charlot uses organic remedies to build strength in vines via chalky soil. “When you have soil like this, the roots are deep,” says Charlot. “Just like a person — more balanced, less sick.”
As Charlot farms biodynamically, we safely smell and sample soils formed from marine fossils. “When you taste the chalk, you can taste that the wine is born from the sea,” says Charlot. Spongelike chalk absorbs moisture releasing it to carry minerals from earth into grapes for texture and flavor.
As Charlot farms biodynamically, we safely smell and sample soils formed from marine fossils. “When you taste the chalk, you can taste that the wine is born from the sea,” says Charlot. Spongelike chalk absorbs moisture releasing it to carry minerals from earth into grapes for texture and flavor.
“When you drink the wine,” says Charlot, “you understand the soil.” If there’s more clay, there’s more fruit, more sensuality; the chalk soils have more tension. I am fortunate to walk there with Charlot. In the US, Vincent Charlot’s biodynamic champagne ranges in price from $60-$110.
“When you drink the wine,” says Charlot, “you understand the soil.” If there’s more clay, there’s more fruit, more sensuality; the chalk soils have more tension. I am fortunate to walk there with Charlot. In the US, Vincent Charlot’s biodynamic champagne ranges in price from $60-$110.
The Le Fruit de Ma Passion label represents how biodynamics integrate cycles. "When you work biodynamically, you work closely with the sun and the moon," says Charlot. "But that's really just the beginning of biodynamics. When you believe about the sun and the moon, the rest is more simple."
The Le Fruit de Ma Passion label represents how biodynamics integrate cycles. "When you work biodynamically, you work closely with the sun and the moon," says Charlot. "But that's really just the beginning of biodynamics. When you believe about the sun and the moon, the rest is more simple."

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