Gaston Chiquet
Summary
Gaston Chiquet is an eighth-generation family grower-producer managing 23 hectares of premier and grand cru vineyards across four Vallée de la Marne villages, crafting champagnes with an unusual emphasis on Chardonnay (45%) alongside Pinot Meunier (35%) and Pinot Noir (20%) from chalky soils with varying clay and limestone content. Their traditional approach features sustainable viticulture, separate parcel vinification, extended lees aging beyond appellation requirements, and judicious dosage application, all aimed at expressing their historic terroirs while maintaining their distinctive house style.
Heritage & Leadership
Gaston Chiquet stands as one of the pioneering grower-producers in Champagne, with roots dating back to 1746 when the family first began cultivating vines in Dizy. While grape growing has been the family's tradition for centuries, it wasn't until 1919 that brothers Fernand and Gaston Chiquet made the pivotal decision to produce champagne under their own name rather than selling grapes to larger houses. This transition established them among the first récoltant-manipulants (grower-producers) in the region.
The house is currently led by the eighth generation of the family, with Nicolas Chiquet at the helm following his father Claude's retirement. Nicolas continues to build upon the foundation established by his predecessors, maintaining the house's commitment to expressing the distinct terroirs of their holdings in the Vallée de la Marne and Côte des Blancs. The transition of leadership occurred in 2013, marking a continuation of family stewardship that has spanned nearly three centuries.
Vineyards & Wines
Gaston Chiquet's vineyard holdings encompass 23 hectares spread across four villages in the Vallée de la Marne: Dizy, Aÿ, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, and Hautvillers. These premier and grand cru sites are planted with the three classic Champagne varieties in the following proportions: 45% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Meunier, and 20% Pinot Noir. This distribution differs from many producers in the region, with a notably higher percentage of Chardonnay for a house based in the Vallée de la Marne.
The vineyards benefit from chalky soils with varying amounts of clay and limestone, providing distinct mineral characteristics to the wines. The house's flagship cuvée, the Blanc de Blancs d'Aÿ, comes from a unique terroir—Chardonnay planted in Aÿ, an area traditionally known for Pinot Noir. Other significant wines in their portfolio include the Tradition Brut Premier Cru, Special Club (produced only in exceptional vintages), and Cuvée Or Blanc, a vintage-dated blanc de blancs from their finest Chardonnay parcels.
Philosophy & Practice
Gaston Chiquet adheres to a philosophy of minimal intervention, allowing each vineyard plot to express its distinctive character. The house practices sustainable viticulture throughout their holdings, with careful attention to soil health and biodiversity. Harvest is conducted by hand, with each parcel vinified separately to preserve its unique attributes.
In the cellar, primary fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, a deliberate choice to maintain fruit purity and terroir expression. The house employs partial malolactic fermentation, varying the percentage based on the character of each vintage. Their champagnes typically age on lees for extended periods—a minimum of three years for non-vintage cuvées and up to seven years for vintage and Special Club releases—exceeding the minimum requirements established by the Champagne appellation.
Dosage is applied judiciously, with levels tailored to each cuvée to achieve balance without masking the wine's inherent characteristics. This meticulous approach to production, from vineyard to bottle, reflects the family's commitment to crafting champagnes that authentically represent their historic terroirs in the Vallée de la Marne.