Chateau de Bligny Champagne

The Château de Bligny Champagne: a legacy of champagne

Das Château de Bligny Champagne ist ein beeindruckendes Anwesen, das sich majestätisch über dem Dorf Bligny erhebt und auf den Fundamenten einer feudalen Burg errichtet wurde. Diese Burg gehörte einst dem Marquis de Dampierre, der das Anwesen 1773 erwarb, um dort der Jagd auf Wölfe nachzugehen. Im 19. Jahrhundert wurde das Anwesen durch den Bau eines Turms und zusätzlicher Flügel erweitert.

A castle with history

Château de Bligny Champagne is located at the foot of a hill and offers a picturesque view of the village and the Landion valley. The Landion, a small river, rises directly below the château's cellars and still supplies them with fresh water today. The imposing main gate of the castle dates back to the feudal castle demolished in 1770 and is in the style of Louis XIII. It is richly decorated with sculptural depictions of grapes and vines.

The origins of viticulture in Bligny

The vineyards of Bligny Champagne have a long tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. The Marquis de Dampierre, an important landowner and owner of the Bligny glassworks, lived in the castle and owned the surrounding vineyards. These were mainly used to produce wine for the marquis's personal use, although the wine was mostly still at the time.

Tragic events and reconstruction

In 1871, the Marquis de Dampierre suffered a heavy loss when his son was killed at the front in the war. This was a heavy blow for the family, and the decision to route the railway line through nearby Bar-sur-Aube rather than through Bligny Champagne led to the glassworks being relocated to Bar. In addition, the infestation of phylloxera brought viticulture in Bligny to a virtual standstill.

The Renaissance under Baron de Cachard

Reconstruction began in the early 19th century when the castle became the property of Baron de Cachard. Louis XVIII raised him to the rank of nobility and awarded him the title of baron. Baron de Cachard recognised the potential of the region and decided to plant a large vineyard. He also acquired the vineyards of the former priory of Sainte Eulalie, which had been founded around the year 1000. The vineyards he planted and purchased now form the Château de Bligny Champagne estate. His endeavours earned him the nickname "Gentleman Wine-maker".

The winery in the 20th century

In 1930, the vineyards of Château de Bligny covered 44 hectares. After the Second World War, a gentleman from Tours, Mr Lefèvre, bought the estate in order to expand his range to include champagne. However, his plans were never fully realised and the estate was divided up. In 1952, the Lorin family acquired the vineyards in several plots and replanted them in 1954.

Modern developments and rebirth

In den letzten Jahrzehnten erlebte das Château de Bligny Champagner eine bemerkenswerte Wiedergeburt, die durch erhebliche Investitionen in die Produktionsanlagen ermöglicht wurde. Das Schloss selbst wurde liebevoll restauriert und ist seit 1999 für die Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. Besucher können das historische Anwesen besichtigen, das ein bedeutendes architektonisches und weinbauliches Erbe darstellt. Die Ess- und Empfangsräume haben ihre dekorativen Holzarbeiten und bemalten Decken mit Putten und Amoretten bewahrt. Eine herausragende Sammlung von tausend Champagnergläsern, darunter Stücke von Lalique und Daum, erinnert an die Zeit, als das Dorf Bligny bis 1881 die Heimat einer der größten Kristallglashütten der Aube war.

The Château de Bligny Champagne today

Today, Château de Bligny is one of the most renowned wine estates in the Champagne region. The vineyards cover a considerable area and benefit from the region's excellent climatic and geological conditions. The estate produces a variety of champagnes that are renowned for their quality and elegance.

The house's best-known champagne is the Château de Bligny Brutan excellent representative of the brand. This champagne is characterised by its fine perlage and complex aromas of citrus fruits, white flowers and a hint of brioche. It is produced using traditional methods and matures for several years in the château's cellars before being released for sale.

Current vineyards and the headquarters

Today, the vineyards of Château de Bligny Champagne cover an area of around 30 hectares, which are mainly planted with the Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier grape varieties. These classic Champagne grape varieties thrive particularly well on the chalky soils of the region and contribute to the high quality of the wines.

Der Hauptsitz des Château de Bligny befindet sich nach wie vor im historischen Schloss, das sich durch seine prächtige Architektur und seine reiche History auszeichnet. Das Schloss ist nicht nur ein Ort der Produktion, sondern auch ein Zentrum der Gastfreundschaft. Besucher können an Führungen durch die Weinberge und Keller teilnehmen und dabei mehr über die Kunst der Champagnerherstellung erfahren.

Plans for the future

A special highlight for visitors will be the planned "Clos", a vineyard surrounded by walls, which is to be created on the extensive grounds of the Château de Bligny. This "Clos" will allow visitors to experience the various phases of vine growth up close and gain an in-depth insight into the work of the winegrowers.

Conclusion

Château de Bligny Champagne is a fascinating example of the combination of tradition and modernity in viticulture. With its rich history, its first-class wines and its impressive estate, it attracts wine lovers from all over the world. Its commitment to quality and the preservation of its cultural heritage make Château de Bligny Champagne an outstanding representative of the Champagne region and a must for every wine lover.