1879 Facts About Champagne and Other Sparkling Wines

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Oham1Jagne Est

casks of newly-blended wine a portion of old wine is added separately, and at the ~oment of bottling the whole is newly amalga.mated. Adjoining M. Deutz's chateau is the principal entrance to the extensive cellars of the firm, to which, at the time of our visit, considerable additions were being made. In excavating a gallery the workmen commence by rounding off the roof, and then proceed to work gradually downwards, exti:acting the chalk, whenever practicable, in blocks suitable for building purposes, which being ~orth from three to four shillings the square yard help to reduce the cost of the excavatioµ. When any serious flaws present themselves in the sides or roof of the galleries, they are invariably made good with masonry. This range of cellars now comprises eight long and lofty galleries no less than 17 feet wide, and the same nill?lber of feet in height, and of the aggregate length of 2,200 yards. These spacious vaults, which run parallel with each other, and com– municate by means of cross passages, underlie the street, the' chateau, the garden, and the vineyard slopes beyond, and possess the great advantage of being always dry.. They are capable, we were informed, of containing several million bottles of champagne in addition to a large quantity of wine in cask. Messn1. Deutz and Geldermann possess vineyards at Ay, and own a large vendangeoi.r ,at Verzenay, where in good years they usually press 500 pieces of wine. They, moreover, make large purnhases of grapes at Bouzy, Cramant, Le Mesnil, Pierry, &c, and invariably have these pressed under their own superintendence. Beyond large shipments to -England, Messrs. Deutz and Geldermann transact a considerable business with other countries, and more especially with Germany, wh.ere their brand has been for years one of the most popular, and is to-day the favourite at numerous regimental messes and t1:ie principal . hotels. ' The old chateau of Ay, which dates from the early part of the last century, belongs to-day to the Count de Mareuil, a member of the firm of Ayala and Co., one of the leading estab-