Terroir

: 1 ha – Communes : Chavanay, Malleval (42)- Grape variety : 100% Roussanne

Soils : light granite sands

Traditionally, white St. Joseph is a blend of Roussanne and Marsanne grapes.  However, Pierre Gaillard cultivates only the Roussanne, for reasons of its acidity, and he has chosen the Malleval plateau to plant them on because of its cool weather.  A high concentration of both sugar and phenolic materials is achieved by growing the vines in the form of an open lyre (with two lines of training wires), which ensures better leaf exposure.

Vinification

harvest, strict sorting of very ripe berries, pellicular maceration : 3 to 5 hours

Alcoholic fermentation in barrels :  the temperature is controlled at 15-18°C

Malolactic fermentation in barrels

 The very low yields (25hl/ha) reinforce the richness and aromatic complexity of the Roussanne berries, which release this strength after pellicular maceration for a period of some hours.

 Maturing

6 months, 10 % new wood, finely grained oak from Allier and Nevers

Batonnage: once a week

The lees are kept during the maturing process, and, with regular batonnage give fullness to this St. Joseph.