Château Coutreau
Château Coutreau is a historic family-owned winery located in the Entre-deux-Mers region of Bordeaux, France. Established in 1782 and managed by the Barreau family, the estate encompasses 75 hectares of vineyards and produces wines under the Bordeaux and Entre-deux-Mers appellations. Grapes such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc are vinified using traditional methods. After fermentation, the wines are aged for 18 months in oak barrels to develop complexity. Subsequently, they are transferred to concrete vats for blending and homogenization before bottling, ensuring consistency and quality. Varietals like Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, and Sémillon are fermented in stainless steel vats. This method allows precise temperature control during fermentation, preserving the fresh and fruity characteristics of the wines.
Château Coutreau has explored underwater wine aging through their “Vin des Cabanes” project. By immersing bottles in the Bassin d’Arcachon, they aim to study the effects of stable temperature, absence of light, and low oxygen levels on wine maturation. This method could potentially reduce the need for sulfites in wine preservation. The estate practices sustainable viticulture, tailoring grape cultivation to the diverse soils of the region. Merlot and Cabernet are planted on chalky-clay soils to achieve optimal ripeness, while Sauvignon Blanc thrives on cooler soils to enhance fruit aromas. Muscadelle and Sémillon are cultivated in clayey soils near the Dordogne River, contributing to the wines’ complexity .