Gaston Chiquet - "Blanc de Blancs d'Aÿ" Brut Grand Cru NV (750ml)
Price: $68.00
| Producer | Gaston Chiquet |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| Subregion | Vallée de La Marne |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Sku | 34980 |
| Size | 750ml |
Chiquet is one of the best-known Champagne grower-producers, but make no mistake - the production isn't big, rather the wines are well-known because they're just that *good*, in addition to being one of the first on the scene. This is maybe his most distinctive bottling - from Chardonnay planted in Aÿ, which is one of the greatest Champagne villages but one really known for its Pinot Noir. This has the character of the great Marne Valley grand cru but seen through the unlikely lense of the white grape. A totally different experience compared to the Blanc de Blancs from the actual Côte des Blancs. Old vines, 4+ years on the lees, and being secretly a vintage wine (!) makes this pretty serious value-for-money, too. -- James
Gaston Chiquet Description
In 1919, two brothers, Fernand and Gaston Chiquet—winemakers born and bred—came together to create their house Chiquet Brothers. They were ‘pioneers’ in Champagne, the very first winemakers to take the initiative, bold at the time, to keep their grapes, turn them into Champagne and sell their own wine. Nicolas Chiquet planted his first vines in 1746, and since then eight generations have tilled Dizy’s soil. Gaston Chiquet registered the company in 1935 and expanded the property with land in Aÿ, Cumières and Hautvillers. Gaston Chiquet is best known for making the only blanc de blancs from the Pinot village of Aÿ. Aÿ was the big name in the area long before wines became sparkling, and many were the kings and popes who counted Vin d’Aÿ as their favorite wine. The vineyards slope down steeply to the village by the Marne River, and the best locations are just over the town, sheltered from the wind and with maximum exposure to the sun.
-Richard Juhlin, 4000 Champagnes
