In one of the most spectacular transactions to have taken place within the Bellet appellation, the 13 hectares of vineyards of the region\u2019s oldest and most renowned domaine, Ch\u00e2teau de Bellet, have been sold, writes Elizabeth Gabay MW.<\/p>\n
Ch\u00e2teau de Bellet has been owned the family of Ghislain de Charnac\u00e9 since the Renaissance, and is a producer of some of the best wines from Bellet, a small AOC in southeastern Provence, near Nice.<\/p>\n
The new owner is La Fran\u00e7aise Real Estate Manager (REM), which already owns some 30 domaines in Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Loire and the Rh\u00f4ne.<\/p>\n
According to Patrick Ribouton, director responsible for vineyard investments, Chateau de Bellet fitted the profile of the high quality vineyards they are adding to their portfolio.<\/p>\n
Among their other domains are fifth growth Ch\u00e2teau Belgrave in the Haut-M\u00e9doc, Le Boscq in Saint-Est\u00e8phe and Ch\u00e2teau Grand-Barail Lamarzelle Figeac in Saint-Emilion as well as Ch\u00e2teau Beau Soleil and Ch\u00e2teau La Croix du Casse both in Pomerol.<\/p>\n
Chateau de Bellet\u2019s vineyard will now be merged with the 7ha of the neighbouring property, Collet de Bellet, to form a 20ha domaine making it the second largest in Bellet.<\/p>\n
The appellation covers some 650ha but less than a 100ha is under vine. Ghislaine de Charnac\u00e9 will remain involved in the winemaking for the next two years to ensure a smooth transition and will work alongside the company\u2019s Bordeaux winemaker Eric Boissenot.<\/p>\n
Ch\u00e2teau de Bellet\u2019s vineyards lie at 300m along the hills of S\u00e9oules near the village of St Roman de Bellet \u2013 a village so well known for its wine that it was renamed Bacchus during the French revolution.<\/p>\n
Charnac\u00e9 has been in charge of the estate since 1970 and has been a staunch supporter of the Bellet appellation in the face of urban growth (Bellet lies within the boundaries of the city of Nice).<\/p>\n
In recent years there have been a growing number of producers making quality wines which include the unique varieties Folle Noir and Braquet in their red wines. Other winemakers see the purchase as a positive move, confirming both the quality and status of the wines of Bellet.<\/p>\n