Gaston-Chiquet (DIZY)

This is one of the finest grower-estates in the Grande Vallée de la Marne. Chiquet’s wines combine a generous depth of fruit with a pronounced character of place — if you want to know what the wines of the Grande Vallée should feel like, these are an excellent introduction.” – Peter Liem, Champagneguide.net

An estate with a very long tradition, the Chiquet family is known in the Marne for very high quality Champagnes and their superb holdings. The roots of the vine growing tradition go back to the 18th century, but it was in 1919 that Gaston and Ferdinand Chiquet started estate bottling their wines under the Chiquet Frères label. Gaston left the company in 1935 and 30 years later Ferdinand’s side of the family would go on to purchase the Jacquesson estate. Gaston focused his efforts on purchasing excellent vineyards in the Grand Cru of Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Dizy 1er Crus. Today, the great grandsons of Gaston Chiquet manage this estate – Antoine and Nicolas Chiquet. The average age of the vines at the domaine are over 45 years, a rarity in the region. The philosophy at the estate focuses on careful vineyard management; parcels are harvested and vinified separately in stainless steel. There is no wood at the estate as the holdings in mainly south facing crus, with older, selection massal vines, provide enough body and depth. Pressing is done with two large vertical PAI presses, which Nicolas says gives a finer must. Malolactic is allowed as Nicolas notes “we never have a problem with acidity in the final wines.”