From the vineyards to the cellar
At Domaine de Riaux, each wine is carefully vinified by us to express its character, the Sauvignon Blanc and the typical characteristics of our terroirs. Bertrand and Alexis Jeannot favour working with fine lees and paying constant attention to the freshness and balance of their wines.
The winery
Vinification takes place entirely in stainless steel vats, all equipped with a temperature control system for perfect fermentation control. The wines are aged on their lees for a long period, between 6 and 12 months depending on the cuvée, in order to gain complexity, roundness and structure, while preserving the freshness of the Sauvignon Blanc.
A little bit of cold
Before bottling, the wine undergoes tartaric stabilisation. This is because potassium bitartrate (BTK), a substance naturally present in wine, can form crystals when the temperature drops. To prevent this precipitation in the bottle—which is harmless but visually unappealing to consumers—the wine is cooled to -5°C for 10 to 15 days in an insulated tank. The crystals then form in the cellar (as you can see in photo no. 2), where they are removed before filtration. This step does not alter the taste of the wine in any way, but ensures better visual stability.
Bottling
Bottling is carried out directly at the domaine, by us, using our own equipment. Before filling, each bottle is thoroughly washed to remove any impurities, then dried. Air is blown into the bottle to remove any dust or residual moisture. The bottles are vacuum-sealed to prevent premature oxidation. A neutral gas injection phase also deaerates the bottle, preventing oxygenation of the wine during bottling, when the wine is poured into each bottle with precision. A adjustment system then ensures that all bottles are filled to the same level. The bottles are corked immediately afterwards, under vacuum, to guarantee a perfect seal and optimal preservation of the wine.
This is where our work gives rise to our different vintages. Our efforts have been recognised for over 30 years, as you will see in Awards.