If the vine is an intergenerational plant of which one harvests the grapes that others have planted, the conquest of new markets is also an intergenerational dynamic, which cements, at Castel, the family will. Three generations work every day to strengthen and assert its influence in the world of fine wines in France and abroad.
Specialized in the Bordeaux vineyard since its origins, CASTEL has been developing its know-how in the field of fine wines for over 60 years, with both its winemaking and trading activities. CASTEL CHATEAUX & GRANDS CRUS today represents 20 family properties in 4 French wine regions (Bordeaux, historic region of CASTEL, Muscadet, Languedoc and Provence) without forgetting their spearheads, Château Montlabert, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru (certified TERRA VITIS® and HEV) and Château Beychevelle in Saint-Julien, held in equal shares with the Suntory group. A whole commercial dynamic has also been planned with an enriched offer of Grands Crus from Bordeaux and exceptional wines from the largest French and world vineyards. The move upmarket in the world of grand wines was accompanied by a tool to promote and participate in the dissemination of the culture of Grands Wines.
It seems to be successful, but how?
By developing a team 100% specialized CASTEL CHATEAUX & GRANDS CRUS, entirely dedicated to the preservation, the valorization and the promotion of this wine heritage and know-how, with an approach of the development that is sustainable and profitable for all.
By structuring their offer with ranges adapted to each distribution channel, by developing exclusive cuvées, such as Tour Prignac Grande Réserve, Médoc (certified TERRA VITIS®), Château de Haut-Coulon, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux (in organic conversion), or the latest born: Aspirant de Beychevelle, cuvées dedicated to restaurants.
By hosting, each year, thanks to a team dedicated to reception, hundreds of professional visitors in the family properties and Grands Crus partners.
And at last, by committing daily with the players of the sommellerie and the gastronomy, essential partners of the professions of winegrower and merchant. Privileged relationships with associations of chefs such as Les Toques Blanches Lyonnaises, and close collaborations with sommelier associations (Castel Young Sommeliers Cup) have been woven around common values and missions: sustainability, transmission, sharing.
The latest born at Château Beychevelle, Aspirant de Beychevelle, is the cuvée exclusively dedicated to the premium restaurants and to the ‘by the glass’ service: “The idea is to make affordable Beychevelle in restaurants through this cuvée stemming from the young vines of Château Beychevelle and bottled at the Château. From the 2016 vintage the technical team of Château Beychevelle tailored a wine to drink on the freshness of the fruit, in the Saint-Julien appellation. Produced in very limited quantities from the 2016 vintage, a large part is allotted to the French restaurants. "This is not a third wine, it is a wine that complements the first and second wine with a blend dominated by Merlot (65%) for a suppler and lusher profile,” Castel says.
Built in the 17th century, the chateau was bought in 1984 by the Castel family. Entirely renovated, autonomous in energy, it is heated thanks to the combustion of the vines recovered in the vineyard. In harmony with the round courtyard of the property, the winery has also been completely renovated with a circular architecture, reminiscent of the circular movement of the wine. It is here that one of the leading figures of the international sommellerie, Paolo Basso, Best Sommelier of the World, came to taste the wines of the Castel universe. Selection.
Bénédicte Chapard
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