Château de La Chaize : Perenity, Identity and Quality

Serge Sicre is responsible for the oenological tasks and shares his time between Château de La Chaize and the Guigal estates in Ampuis (Côtes du Rhône). No great wine without great grapes. From one end to the other of the "vendanges" (grape-picking) all means try to avoid triturating the grapes: - the loading and unloading of the grapes into the large vats is operated through gravity without any pumps nor pipes. - the semi-carbonic maceration of the whole grape without aspirating nor crushing ensures a rich and aromatic juice. - the fermentation takes place in thermo-regulated stainless-steel vats offering the best sanitary security. - the grapes are pressed through a Swiss Bucher pneumatic press.

And last, but not least, and special to Château de La Chaize: after 8 to 10 days the new wine is transferred into the "foudres", very large oak barrels (40 to 100 Hl) in the spectacular XVIIIth century cellar. It will remain there for 6 to 8 months, undergoes two racking, which will give the Brouilly Château de La Chaize its special character. The 4m deep stone walls of the cellar guaranty the necessary stable temperature ( 12 to 14 °) and a constant hygrometry. All the cuvées are tasted once a month at least.

At Château de La Chaize there is a perfect traceability. Each plot is picked and registered, the schedule follows the different ripeness stadiums according to the exposure of the slope. The oenologist keeps therefore a precise memory of each plot and can optimize the blending of the different cuvées, after a collegial tasting with the members of the family and the cellar-master..

All this traditional know-how has kept Château de La Chaize since years at the top of the charts, but in the first place reflects its three main values: PERENITY, IDENTITY and QUALITY. La Chaize never yields to the latest fashion nor remains imprisoned by old useless habits. It keeps its tradition but undergoes constant modernizing and above all makes sure the day-to-day care, from the planting to the bottling never weakens.