MENETOU-SALON AREA
HISTORY
Menetou-Salon is an ancient vineyard according to the old writings concerning the châtellenie. We find acts from the years
1063, 1097 and 1100 in which the Lord of Menetou gave different properties to various religious orders. Most notably, he gave the vineyards located in Clos de Davet to the famous abbey of St-Sulpice-Lès-Bourges.
The history of Menetou-Salon is intimately linked with Jacques Coeur, Steward of the Royal Expenditures and Banker of the Court of King Charles VII. Jacques Coeur acquired the seigniory of Menetou-Salon in 1450 and writings of the day relate how the wines of Menetou-Salon graced his table. It’s said that Agnes Sorel, the king’s favourite, would come to Menetou-Salon to rest under the ancient lime wood ; trees (still standing near the castle today) and enjoy the wine
of Close de la Dame.
The first wine producers’ syndicate was established as early as 1890. In the 1970’s, wine production was given new impetus and today vineyards cover an area of around 465 hectares .
GRAPE HARVEST AND WINE MAKING
In Centre-Loire wine harvest begins, according to the vintage, between the last week of September and the first week of October. It ends in the last two weeks of October. It starts with the Pinot Gris harvest (Reuilly) and goes on with the Pinot Noir and the Sauvignon. Châteaumeillant usually brings up the rear of the grape harvest.
In the Centre-Loire vineyards, 80% of the grapes are picked up with mechanical grape harvesters and most of the wine store houses were modernized in order to work as quickly as possible between the harvest and the pressing. Some grapes are still harvested by hand, more particularly red grapes.
