A "chevret" is a young goat in French. It is difficult to explain why it received this name in the first place. Is it because the vignerons of old did not want their goats to come in and ruin the year's crop ? No one really knows, but all agree that this is one of the most highly esteemed vineyards in Volnay. 

The vines are planted at mid-slope on a layer of marl mixed with gravel and stones. Here, the slope is gentle with great exposure : the sun shines on it from morning to evening. 

Volnay is a village of strict traditions starting with the close planting density and the rigorous pruning of the Pinot Noir grape according to the Guyot method. 

The harvest is done by hand. The maceration in open vats takes between 17 to 18 days, with pigeage (the punching down of the cake that forms at the surface) still practised and revered as the only way to bring out the fullest potential from the terroir.  While slowly ageing in barrel, the wine throws off its lees which need to be racked off several times before bottling. To be fully appreciated, Volnay-Chevret should be drunk after 2 or 3 years of age in bottle. Its colour is a brilliant red. Its flavours are flowery, with violet as dominant aroma. The bouquet blooms with age and leaves place to dried leaf and damp earth tones. 

On the palate, the three main sensations of acidity, tannin and alcohol are in perfect unison and give a delicate impression of softness and velvet. There is nothing flabby here : the structure is firm and under control. 

For a wine like Volnay-Chevret, a delicate cuisine, not too spicy nor flavourful, is required : roasted meat, white meat in sauces, chicken, hare. Garden vegetables would be the ideal side dishes. 

Volnay-Chevret is a charming and seductive wine. It is both a pleasure and an education to drink it.