Gaston Chiquet

Eight generations have passed since Nicolas CHIQUET planted his first vine in 1746. In 1919, brothers Fernand and Gaston CHIQUET – winemakers born and bred – came together to create their house, CHIQUET Brothers. They were pioneers in Champagne, among the very first winemakers to take the initiative, bold at the time, to keep their grapes, turn them into Champagne and sell their own product. In 1923, they were awarded their first medal in PARIS, then their gold medal in EPERNAY.

In 1935, Gaston CHIQUET separated from his brother to create his own brand. At the beginning of the 1950s, Gaston CHIQUET and his son Claude extended the family domain into the areas of Aÿ and Hautvillers, bringing new blending possibilities. In turn, Claude CHIQUET and his sons, Antoine and Nicolas, ensure continuity by complying with the family rule: “Our primary goal is to maintain the quality standards of our heritage.” While the techniques have been improved, the tradition remains the same.

In 2003, Antoine and Nicolas CHIQUET’s turn. These brothers assure continuity while respecting their ancestral rules. The techniques improve – the tradition endures

Today, for over 80 years, the brand Champagne Gaston Chiquet is still lead by the family.  The two brothers and the next generation, Marion Chiquet (Antoine’s daughter) work 23 hectares of vineyards situated primarily in the precious perimeter of Dizy, Aÿ, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Hautvillers. The three grape varieties used in Champagne are cultivated in the following proportions: Chardonnay 50%, Pinot Meunier 30%, Pinot noir 20%.

Nicolas Chiquet farms 23 heactares in the Valle de la Marne in the villages of Ay, Dizy, Hautvillers and Mareuil-sur-Ay. All of the fruit (including that which is used in the non-vintage cuvee) comes from premier and grand cru grapes. Nicolas does not employ any oak aging at Gaston Chiquet; he believes that concentration, fruit maturity and malolactic fermentation impart enough body and texture to make aging in barrel unnecessary.

The vineyards are planted to equal (forty percent each) parts chardonnay, pinot meunier and twenty percent are planted to pinot noir. Gaston-Chiquet also produces a vintage dated chardonnay from 5 parcels on the western side of the grand cru village of Ay. Usually recognized as a grand cru village for pinot noir, these vines of chardonnay were planted in Ay in the 1930s.

“In 1919, two brothers, Fernand and Gaston Chiquet—winemakers born and bred—came together to create their house Chiquet Brothers. They were ‘pioneers’ in Champagne, the very first winemakers to take the initiative, bold at the time, to keep their grapes, turn them into Champagne and sell their own wine. Nicolas Chiquet planted his first vines in 1746, and since then eight generations have tilled Dizy’s soil. Gaston Chiquet registered the company in 1935 and expanded the property with land in Aÿ, Cumières and Hautvillers. Gaston Chiquet is best known for making the only blanc de blancs from the Pinot village of Aÿ. Aÿ was the big name in the area long before wines became sparkling, and many were the kings and popes who counted Vin d’Aÿ as their favorite wine. The vineyards slope down steeply to the village by the Marne River, and the best locations are just over the town, sheltered from the wind and with maximum exposure to the sun.”
-Richard Juhlin, 4000 Champagnes

“I think if you asked me to sum up Chiquet’s wines in one pithy phrase, I’d have to say either “delicious and articulate” or “articulate and delicious” depending on which you preferred. . . . I myself tend to peg Nicolas Chiquet’s wines as “innately lovable” and so it always surprises me to rediscover just how focused and precise they are, as if the prose of E. B. White were rendered in the form of Champagne. They taste effortless, tactful, yet attractive.”
-Terry Theise