Champagne Guy de Chassey Grand Cru, Brut NV

Description

Introduction

Exceptional value, Grand  Cru  Champagne from small, family-run house. Exclusive to Corney & Barrow.

Background

The house of Guy de Chassey, which has been in existence for four generations, grows and produces its own champagne on the Montagne de Reims in the village of Louvois in Champagne. Louvois is one of only 17 villages in Champagne to have 100% Grand Cru status, classified according to Champagne’s complex quality hierarchy. Some Pinot Noir is also used from Guy de Chassey’s holdings in the village of Bouzy (also of Grand Cru status), as the microclimate here is a touch warmer and the Pinot Noir grapes often riper. Four staff tend the 9.5 hectares of vineyards and much of the work is carried out by hand. Such is the quality of the fruit grown here at Guy de Chassey, that a percentage of the annual harvest has been sold off historically to the traditional Grande Marque Champagne houses, although Marie-Odile de Chassey is now retaining more grapes for her own bottles.  Given that Corney & Barrow buys a large percentage of production and the remainder sells out largely at the cellar door, Guy de Chassey’s marketing expenses – a significant factor in the price of many Champagnes particularly the Grandes Marques – remain modest. This factor, together with the close, long-term relationship between Corney & Barrow and Guy de Chassey, allows us to bring you Guy de Chassey’s Grand Cru Champagne at exceptional prices year on year.

Vineyard Information

Location: Louvois and Bouzy on the Montagne de Reims: villages with 100% Grand Cru status.

Climate: officially ‘cool continental’ denoting cold winters and warm, but rarely scorching summers.

Soils: chalky. This is ideal for drainage and helps impart elegance to the grapes and wines.

Philosophy: Sustainable viticulture, whereby eco-friendly practices are maintained, minimising the use of chemicals to favour long-term biodiversity and balance in the vineyard, soils and surrounding environment.

Harvest: carried out by hand from vines which are, on average, 25 years old.

Winemaking Details

Grape varieties used are a blend of rich Pinot Noir from Bouzy and Chardonnay from Louvois. Both varieties are vinified separately as each need to be handled differently to maximise their best features.

Pressing Grapes are pressed using a traditional basket press

Fermentation method is traditional, with secondary fermentation in bottle to give the Champagne its fizz.

Blending approximately 35% of the Brut NV (non-vintage) contains mature ‘reserve’ wines from previous vintages, which add to the richness and complexity of the final champagne.

Maturation: a minimum of 3 years for the Brut NV blend in underground chalk cellars – the perfect environment for ageing due to the constant, cool temperature and low light. Before disgorgement, the bottles go through a riddling/’remuage’ process which involves turning the bottles a quarter of a turn and each time increasing the angle of inclination of the bottle, allowing the ‘lees’ sediment to slide towards the neck. This process is done by hand and takes a total of one month.

Tasting Note

A full, finely structured blend. This Champagne achieves aromatic complexity from a combination of young & old vine fruit, presenting youthful zest alongside more toasted brioche notes & cinnamon spice.

Summary