Maquis Lien Team
Xavier Choné
Wine and Viticulture Consultant
Xavier Choné is an international terroir and wine consultant based in Bordeaux. His work demonstrates that 'terroir' can be seen as a practical concept used to analyze soil and climate conditions. With this approach, he develops and manages vineyards in order to achieve fine, elegant and profitable wine all over the world. His expertise aims at developing the vineyard as a "terroir" and maximizing the terroir effect in order to produce the most distinctive and elegant wine.
His consulting encompasses: soil and climate expertise, vineyard analysis and evaluation, vineyard architecture development at the planting stage and vineyard management (including, pruning, irrigation, fertilization, canopy, crop control et al.). As well, he advises on the decision for the harvest date and winemaking practices. His work ultimately achieves, given terroir potential, elegancy, concentration and finesse in the wine.
Xavier graduated from Bordeaux II University in 2001, receiving a PhD doctorate in Viticulture and Enology. The topic for his thesis was regarding the effect of terroir on top growth Cabernet Sauvignon in Medoc area; as well as the aromatic potential of Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux and Sancerre. During this work, Xavier focused specifically on positive vine water deficit on the more famed French terroirs. This research founded part of his approach of replanting and irrigating vineyards in the New World. In addition to his PhD, Xavier received an Enologist degree as well as an Agricultural Engineer Diploma in Viticultu Eno.
Xavier's publications regarding terroir, vine water status and wine can be found in several international journals: "Annals of Botany", "American Journal for Enology and Viticulture", "South African Journal for Enology and Viticulture" and the "Journal des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vins".
Robert Mondavi utilizes Xavier's consulting expertise for terroir management for his properties in California. Furthermore, Xavier's American clients include: Dominus, Dalla Valle, Roederer and Opus One. His client portfolio in Bordeaux consists of many of the top growths including: Château d'Yquem (Sauternes), Haut Brion (Graves) Léoville Las Cases (Haut Médoc), Cheval Blanc and Fomplégades. (Saint Emilion).
Xavier has analyzed soil and preformed vineyard audits for more than 30 chateaux both the Left and Right Banks. In France, he has also consulted for Domaine de la Romanée Conti and Domaine d'Arlot (Bourgogne); as well as in Sancerre, Alsace, Champagne and the Rhône Valley.
Xavier has taken his expertise to develop vineyards and managed vine irrigation in Russia, Romania, Greece, Lebanon, Morocco and China.
Presently, Xavier is working in France, Italy, Spain, California, Chile, South Africa and Turkey to innovate and establish vineyards for premium quality wines. With these current projects he is teaming up with the French winemaker, Florent Dumeau. In 2005, Xavier consulted the planting and/or replanting of more than 300 hectares (about 650 acres).
His future objective is to disperse of his practical terroir management approach in both established and growing wine regions. His aim is to ultimately express terroir in order to create the conditions needed for elegancy, quality and wine diversity.
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