Gosset
Encyclopedia
Gosset, founded in 1584, is one of the oldest champagne houses of the Champagne region in north-eastern France. It was founded when Jean Gosset, a grape grower in Aÿ
, left a vineyard
to his grandson, Pierre Gosset, mayor of the village, who began to export wine under his name. Typical for this era in Champagne, Gosset initially produced still wines, mainly reds, whilst his cellars were adjoining those owned by King Francis I of France
, who enjoyed these red Aÿ wines.
In 1994, the house was sold to the Cointreau family. Under the management of Beatrice Cointreau, (also the head of Cognac Frapin), Gosset succeeded in increasing its production to one million bottles in 2005. The house is now successfully headed by Jean-Pierre Cointreau and its headquarters have been transferred to Epernay in 2009.
Gosset wines are made from a blend of Pinot Noir
, Chardonnay
, and Pinot Meunier
. The house is known for its slightly sweet Brut Excellence and its vintage
prestige cuvee
Célebris and Grand Millésime. The house also produced a commemorative wine the Quatrième Centenaire.
In standard champagne bottle :
Ay
Ay was the penultimate Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt's 18th dynasty. He held the throne of Egypt for a brief four-year period , although he was a close advisor to two and perhaps three of the pharaohs who ruled before him and was the power behind the throne during Tutankhamun's reign...
, left a vineyard
Vineyard
A vineyard is a plantation of grape-bearing vines, grown mainly for winemaking, but also raisins, table grapes and non-alcoholic grape juice...
to his grandson, Pierre Gosset, mayor of the village, who began to export wine under his name. Typical for this era in Champagne, Gosset initially produced still wines, mainly reds, whilst his cellars were adjoining those owned by King Francis I of France
Francis I of France
Francis I was King of France from 1515 until his death. During his reign, huge cultural changes took place in France and he has been called France's original Renaissance monarch...
, who enjoyed these red Aÿ wines.
In 1994, the house was sold to the Cointreau family. Under the management of Beatrice Cointreau, (also the head of Cognac Frapin), Gosset succeeded in increasing its production to one million bottles in 2005. The house is now successfully headed by Jean-Pierre Cointreau and its headquarters have been transferred to Epernay in 2009.
Gosset wines are made from a blend of Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is a black wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. The name may also refer to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes...
, Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make white wine. It is originated from the Burgundy wine region of eastern France but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from England to New Zealand...
, and Pinot Meunier
Pinot meunier
Pinot Meunier, , also known as Meunier or Black Riesling, is a variety of black wine grape most noted for being one of the three main grapes used in the production of champagne...
. The house is known for its slightly sweet Brut Excellence and its vintage
Vintage
Vintage, in wine-making, is the process of picking grapes and creating the finished product . A vintage wine is one made from grapes that were all, or primarily, grown and harvested in a single specified year. In certain wines, it can denote quality, as in Port wine, where Port houses make and...
prestige cuvee
Cuvee
Cuvée is a French wine term derived from cuve, meaning vat or tank. The term cuvée is used with several different meanings, more or less based on the concept of a tank of wine put to some purpose:...
Célebris and Grand Millésime. The house also produced a commemorative wine the Quatrième Centenaire.
Wines
In antique bottle- Grande Réserve Brut (Non-vintage). A blend of 46% ChardonnayChardonnayChardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make white wine. It is originated from the Burgundy wine region of eastern France but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from England to New Zealand...
, 39% Pinot NoirPinot NoirPinot noir is a black wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. The name may also refer to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes...
, and 15% Pinot MeunierPinot meunierPinot Meunier, , also known as Meunier or Black Riesling, is a variety of black wine grape most noted for being one of the three main grapes used in the production of champagne...
. 12% reserve wines with an average age of 2 years. In the 1980s, the blend had been 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay. Also available in magnumWine bottleA wine bottle is a bottle used for holding wine, generally made of glass. Some wines are fermented in the bottle, others are bottled only after fermentation. They come in a large variety of sizes, several named for Biblical kings and other figures. The standard bottle contains 750 ml,...
and in jeroboamWine bottleA wine bottle is a bottle used for holding wine, generally made of glass. Some wines are fermented in the bottle, others are bottled only after fermentation. They come in a large variety of sizes, several named for Biblical kings and other figures. The standard bottle contains 750 ml,... - Grand Rosé Brut (Non-vintage). 56% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir Grand Cru and 9% red wines from BouzyBouzyBouzy is a commune of the Marne department in north-eastern France.-Champagne:The village's vineyards are located in the Montagne de Reims subregion of Champagne, and are classified as Grand Cru in the Champagne vineyard classification.-See also:...
and AmbonnayAmbonnayAmbonnay is a commune in the Marne department in north-eastern France.-Champagne:The village's vineyards are located in the Montagne de Reims subregion of Champagne, and are classified as Grand Cru in the Champagne vineyard classification...
. Also available in magnum - Grand Millésime Brut (Vintage, latest is 2000). 56% Chardonnay and 44% Pinot Noir from grand and premier cru vineyards. In the 1980s, the blend was 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay.
- Grand Blanc de Blancs (Non-vintage)
- Cuvée du 425ème anniversaire (Non-vintage)
- Celebris Vintage Extra Brut (latest is 1998). 64% Chardonnay and 36% Pinot Noir. Vintages produced, 1998, 1995, 1990 and 1988.
- Celebris Rosé Extra Brut (Vintage, latest is 2003)
- Celebris Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut (Non-vintage)
In standard champagne bottle :
- Brut Excellence (Non-vintage). A blend of 42% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir and 13% Pinot Meunier. Also available as rosé, and in magnum.
Previous wines
- Cuvée Quatrième Centenaire (Non-vintage Prestige Cuvée). This wine was produced in 1984 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the foundation of Gosset and contained some wine from the 1971 vintage. It was a blend of 36% Pinot Noir and 63% Chardonnay. Less than 2,500 cases were produced. Bottles were numbered. Numbers 1-200 were for the use of the Gosset family, 201-1,500 were magnums and numbers 1,501 to 28,500 were other sizes.
- Coteaux Champenois Blanc de Blancs