News
Wine Spectator: 90/100
Champagne de CASTELNAU is rated for the first time by the famous US wine magazine Wine Spectator, scoring 90/100 for its Champagne de CASTELNAU Brut Reserve.
History
The Champagne house of de Castelnau was founded in 1916 and named in honour of General Eduard de Curières de Castelnau. It swiftly made its reputation during the First World War. Champagne de Castelnau’s house emblem (the thistles and the coat of arms carry the motto “qui s’y frotte s’y pique”…he who rubs will be pricked) allude to this historical reference.
For three generations since 1925, Champagne de Castelnau belonged to a family from Ep...
Vineyards
Champagne de Castelnau vines cover nearly 900 hectares spread across 149 different Champagne Crus including many of the finest parcels of land in the region.
The Montagne de Reims (département de la Marne): its hillsides are largely formed of deep chalk subsoil and are mainly planted with Pinot Noir.
The Marne Valley (Marne, Aisne et Seine-et-Marne): the slopes are mainly clay/limestone with some marl and are usually planted with Pinot Meuni...
Winemaking
In Champagne, the vintage usually begins in September. After a year of careful cultivation, the fruit is hand-harvested and pressed on site to conserve as much of its freshness as possible. The grape juice, also known here as must, used to make the de Castelnau Cuvées comes from 149 villages (or Crus) and 180 pressing stations sited all over the AOC Champagne region. When it arrives at the cellars in Reims, each batch of juice is tasted and an...
Inside information
The diversity of grape types and parcels of land spread throughout the AOC region of Champagne’s different sub-districts is a major advantage for de Castelnau’s winemaking teams.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is the main grape type from the cooler, chalky soils of the Montagne de Reims and from the Côtes des Bar. Pinot Noir based wines show red fruit aromas and a distinct ability to bring body and power to a blend.
Pinot Meunier
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