2009 will see the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Plaimont Co-operative.
Harper's - 16 février 2009

For nearly 30 years Plaimont has been producing wine with a philosophy of respect for age-old traditions.

Born from the union of Caves de PLaisance, Caves d’AIgnan and Cave de Saint MONT in 1979, Plaimont is the largest wine supplier from South-West France, employing over a thousand producers. One of the most innovative French coop, Plaimont have appointed Christine Cabri head winemaker, following her 10 year experience in the Research & Development department. Passionate and talented, she prefers working with local varietals, to maintain the wines’ originality; but whilst respect of tradition is key, she has implemented very modern procedures in all Plaimont wineries.

All producers follow a very strict list of guidelines to ensure that only the highest quality of grapes go into the wine. Plaimont even go one step further and track the grapes from the vine to the bottle. Each vine is tracked by a management software Plaimont have patented, and follows through to the barcode printed on each bottle. This means that at any point, the winemakers are aware of exactly where the grapes were grown.

Plaimont’s charismatic founder André Dubosc has spent his life researching, replanting and promoting local grapes varieties which, without him, would have otherwise disappeared. A trained ampelographer (expert in the study of vines and grapes), he set up the Conservatory of Saint Mont wines and saved grapes such as Arrufiac, Petit Courbu, Pinenc and Tannat from extinction.

As well as producing wines in the key appellations Pacherenc du Vic Bilh, Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne and Madiran, Plaimont produce 98% of the wines made in the Saint Mont appellation.

Plaimont’s Prestige selection, including wines such as Le Faîte red & white (blended every year in St Mont by 2 recognised wine experts, such as Gérard Basset in 2009, or Joanna Simon, Tim Atkin, Michel Bettane previously) are available through a variety of on-trade establishments including wine bars, restaurants, Gastropubs and Michelin star winning restaurants. Plaimont have a team based in London who are working closely with the UK on-trade and specifi cally the Independent trade, providing support to sales teams on all levels. Plaimont wines are available through City Beverage, Coe Vintners, Adnams and more.

Beyond wine production, Plaimont is blessed with a rich local heritage and has played an important part in developing the region and wine tourism in particular. Plaimont is at the heart of the local community, having established small businesses, lending young winemakers vineyards to cultivate, and providing commercial training. They have renovated old Châteaux and set up families to run gîtes amongst the vineyards, g i v i n g v i s i tors the opportunity to experience a working vineyard and taste the local wines in a relaxed atmosphere.

Also, since its launch, André Dubosc and Plaimont have been devoted supporters and sponsors of the International Jazz festival in Marciac, one of the biggest and most renowned music festivals in Europe.

Plaimont is a perfect example of Fairtrade trading, producing delicious wines, representative of the terroir they come from; it is a structure of which André Dubosc can be proud. Plaimont has truly helped to create a thriving community in Gascony.

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