Growing success The acquisition by the group is the second-largest French Burgundy wines more accessible by Grands Chais de France of the négociant négociant after Castel, active in every applying the same rigorous methods to François Martenot in 2015 enabled the French wine region except Champagne— its entire range of products. “We need to group to put down Burgundian roots. it has managed to keep all their opera- focus on the consumers, and for that we tions on a human scale. Drawing on the have to remain humble and remember True to form, Grands Chais de France expertise of local winemakers, Grands that we are, above all, an agricultural made a quiet entrance into the Burgundy Chais de France understood the impor- business.” For the group, wine is not just vineyards when it purchased François tance of the climats, the small plots that about filling fine cellars: it’s something to Martenot, seemingly unnoticed. Despite are typical of the region and the unique be shared, and the entry-level wines this discretion, the arrival of a large geology that gives the wines their char- should be treated just as well as a Grand French wine group in the region caused acter. “What defines Burgundy is its Cru, both in the vineyards and in the quite a stir. “When they established soil, the complexity of the terroir,” says chai. This is the philosophy that Grands themselves here it was not very well Dechelette. To get the very best out of Chais de France follows at its 12 estates received,” admits Cédric Dechelette, who them requires sensitivity, observation throughout the region, located in was born locally and is now Export Sales and patience, something that may have Chablis, Côte de Nuits, Beaune and Director for Burgundy and Beaujolais. been lacking in the region 20 years ago, Chalon, and even extending as far as the “We were worried that they would when it was producing ever larger quan- Mâcon and Beaujolais regions. impose their methods, but they quickly tities, before changing course. “Nature put us at ease, listening to us and choosing remembers, we have to protect it.” to respect the work that had already Grands Chais de France is committed to been accomplished.” Despite its size— this approach, and also aims to make Hospices de Beaune, où se tient chaque année la célèbre vente aux enchères caritative des vins du domaine. The Hospices de Beaune, where the famous charitable auction of Burgundies is held each year. L’ABUS D’ALCOOL EST DANGEREUX POUR LA SANTÉ. À CONSOMMER AVEC MODÉRATION. DRINK IN MODERATION. ALCOHOL ABUSE IS HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH. 257