Clos des Zouaves

Clos des Zouaves is a small vineyard located in the hanging gardens of Thuin, in the Walloon province of Hainaut, Belgium. It was planted in June 2001 by the Distillerie de Biercée, which established 1,000 vines on five plots within the historic terraced gardens overlooking the Biesmelle valley. The name 'Clos des Zouaves' was chosen as a tribute to the Compagnie Saint-Roch de Thuin, a local marching band whose members were pillars of the distillery. The first harvest took place in September 2003 and produced 500 bottles, which were marketed in May 2004 under the AOC 'Côtes de Sambre et Meuse'. Over the following years, the vineyard expanded to nine plots and its production gradually improved in quality. In July 2011, the project was taken over by a newly created non-profit association, Le Vignoble thudinien ASBL, with the aim of securing its future and promoting the wine to a wider public. The association organises the annual harvest in a convivial atmosphere, attracting press and public curiosity. Since 2012, the wine has been vinified as a vin doux naturel (a sweet fortified wine) in 50 cl bottles, similar in style to Banyuls or Maury, and pairs well with foie gras, chocolate or desserts. This change was prompted by poor weather conditions but proved popular and less dependent on the weather. The wine no longer qualifies for the 'Côtes de Sambre et Meuse' AOC. A vin doux naturel is characterised by a sweet taste and an alcohol content of 18%. After the 2013 harvest, the decision was made to continue with this style. The exceptional 2013 vintage yielded 1,200 bottles (50 cl). The 2014 harvest, due to less favourable weather, produced approximately 780 bottles, while 2015 was a good year with 1,000 bottles available for sale. The vineyard is planted with Regent, a crossing of Riesling and Sylvaner well suited to northern climates, and Chambourcin, a red grape that gives a bright, well-balanced and fruity red wine. The vines are grown without cultivation between rows; white clover is used to maintain optimal soil humidity and provide nitrogen, while rose bushes at the head of each row help prevent aphid attacks. Natural pheromones are used to ensure optimal pollination, and only Bordeaux mixture is applied against mildew and oidium. The Clos des Zouaves remains a small-scale, artisanal producer, with its wines sold primarily in Belgium.

The Clos des Zouaves was planted in June 2001 by the Distillerie de Biercée, which established 1,000 vines on five plots within the hanging gardens of Thuin, a historic terraced site in the Biesmelle valley. Three years later, the vineyard had expanded to nine plots. The first harvest took place in September 2003 and yielded 500 bottles, which were marketed in May 2004 under the AOC 'Côtes de Sambre et Meuse'. The name 'Clos des Zouaves' was chosen to honour the Compagnie Saint-Roch de Thuin, a local marching band whose members were pillars of the distillery. In the following years, harvests were similar in quantity but continued to improve in quality. In July 2011, the project was taken over by a newly created non-profit association, Le Vignoble thudinien ASBL, to ensure its future and to promote the wine to a wider audience. The association organises the annual harvest in a warm and friendly atmosphere, which regularly attracts press and public interest. Since 2012, the wine has been vinified as a vin doux naturel (sweet fortified wine) in 50 cl bottles, similar in style to Banyuls or Maury, and pairs well with foie gras, chocolate or desserts. This change was prompted by poor weather conditions but proved popular and less dependent on the weather. The wine no longer qualifies for the 'Côtes de Sambre et Meuse' AOC. A vin doux naturel is characterised by a sweet taste and an alcohol content of 18%. After the 2013 harvest, the decision was made to continue with this style. The exceptional 2013 vintage yielded 1,200 bottles (50 cl). The 2014 harvest, due to less favourable weather, produced approximately 780 bottles, while 2015 was a good year with 1,000 bottles available for sale. The vineyard is planted with Regent, a crossing of Riesling and Sylvaner well suited to northern climates, and Chambourcin, a red grape that gives a bright, well-balanced and fruity red wine. The vines are grown without cultivation between rows; white clover is used to maintain optimal soil humidity and provide nitrogen, while rose bushes at the head of each row help prevent aphid attacks. Natural pheromones are used to ensure optimal pollination, and only Bordeaux mixture is applied against mildew and oidium. The Clos des Zouaves remains a small-scale, artisanal producer, with its wines sold primarily in Belgium.

• 2015

  Good year with 1,000 bottles available for sale.

• 2014

  Less favourable weather results in approximately 780 bottles.

• 2013

  Exceptional harvest yields 1,200 bottles (50 cl); decision to continue vin doux naturel.

• 2012

  Wine vinified as vin doux naturel in 50 cl bottles, no longer under the AOC.

• 2011

  Le Vignoble thudinien ASBL is created in July to take over the project.

• 2004

  First bottles marketed in May under the AOC 'Côtes de Sambre et Meuse'.

• 2003

  First harvest in September yields 500 bottles.

• 2001

  Distillerie de Biercée plants 1,000 vines on five plots in the hanging gardens of Thuin.

Artisanal, small-batch vineyard producing sweet fortified wine in the historic hanging gardens of Thuin.

• Vin doux naturel

  Sweet fortified wine, 18% alcohol, in 50 cl bottles, similar to Banyuls or Maury.

• Red wine (Chambourcin)

  Bright, well-balanced and fruity red wine from Chambourcin grapes.

• White wine (Regent)

  White wine from Regent grapes, a Riesling and Sylvaner crossing.

1. 1Le vignoble thudinien – asblclosdeszouaves.org
2. 2Un retour à l’histoire des jardins suspendus – Le vignoble thudinien – asblclosdeszouaves.org
3. 3Clos des Zouavesfr.wikipedia.org
4. 4Clos des Zouaveswikidata.org
5. 5Capture d’écran 2016-08-08 à 12.35.52 – Le vignoble thudinien – asblclosdeszouaves.org