Brittany proves successful for Champagne winegrowers

fter leaving Champagne, Guillaume Hagnier and Marie Devigne settled into Sarzeau on the Rhuys peninsula in Brittany. Here, the winegrowing couple are in the process of replanting 2.5 hectares of Chenin, Floreal, Merlot and Pinot noir in order to offer a full range of wines to their already loyal following of customers.

The 6,500 bottles labelled ‘dantelezh’ – meaning lace in Breton – from the first vintage have been sold. “The Chardonnay at 11.5% ABV is dry and fruity with good length on the palate and makes the perfect aperitif”, explains Guillaume Hagnier. “The Chenin has more body and great acidity balance. It pairs very well with the local shellfish and oysters. The Cabernet Franc develops aromas of raspberries. Sommeliers, including Pascaline Lepeltier, have been here to taste it and even felt it would make a match for desserts”. When he tasted his first wines, Hagnier was immediately reassured to see that the filtering soils of the Gulf of Morbihan were well-suited to producing good wines.

The 2023 vintage was made in a new, 540m2 winery surrounding Poulhors windmill and rooted amidst the 7.5 hectares of vines. “We bought a double-membrane press and 13 stainless steel tanks in the Nantes wine region an hour’s drive away”, recounts Hagnier, who has been certified organic since last year.

The couple has just ordered a destemming machine and 400-hectolitre barrels from a Lannion cooperage to produce their red wines. As a nod to their native region, they are also contemplating trying some traditional method sparkling wines. Like them, some forty or so winegrowers have chosen to focus on Brittany to grow wines.