The Story of a greatFrench Wine

Les Secrets de La Châsse

The La Châsse name is rooted deep in local history. During the 14th Century (1309 to 1378

to be precise) a succession of seven Pontifs resided in Avignon, close to the beautiful

village of Gigondas, home to Maison Gabriel Meffre – makers of La Châsse. It was a

time of conflict and discord when the French Kings had considerable influence over

the Papacy, something that was resented by other

rulers across Europe. Treasures of the Avignon

Pontifs were stored in a reliquary. This historic

chest is referred to in French as a “Châsse”, hence

the name La Châsse was chosen by Rhône Valley producer

Gabriel Meffre, as a tribute to the rich and unique history

of the region.

In 1936, “Maison Gabriel Meffre” was established in the heart of the Rhône Valley.

Over many years, the dedicated viticultural team and passionate winemakers excelled

at producing authentic and elegant wines from the Rhône Valley. In the early 1990’s,

Gabriel Meffre launched La Châsse. At that stage, the wines were AOC Côtes du Rhône

with the flagship “Réserve” soon becoming a leading French wine brand in international

markets, such as the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark. In 2004, a range of

popular varietal Vin de Pays d’Oc wines were launched and since then the La Châsse

family has grown to include premium Rhône whites and reds.

La Châsse is instantly recognisable thanks to its unique bottle which proudly displays

the moulded crest bearing the Latin words “Solis Terraeque Vinum Fructus”, meaning

literally “the sun, the earth, the wine, the fruit”.

We are tremendously proud of our history and our wines, awarded many times in competitions and, best of all, enjoyed and treasured by wine drinkers throughout the world.

Our Story

The Secret of our Name

Our Story

The Secret of our Name

Treasures of the Avignon Pontifs were stored in a reliquary.

This historic chest is referred to in French as a “Châsse”, hence the name La Châsse.

A Quintessentially French wine

La Châsse represents all that is good about the land with the most illustrious tradition of fine winemaking.

What has made La Châsse a firm favourite with wine drinkers around the world is its consistently delicious, fruity and

elegant style – a modern wine with classic values. In case you are wondering, the name, La Châsse, refers to a chest used

to store the treasures of the Pontifs who lived in Avignon, on the banks of the River Rhône, during the 14th Century.

Côtes du Rhône

Réserve

Our Vineyards

Being a natural route between the Mediterranean Sea and northern

Europe, the Rhône river was used by Ancient Greeks and Romans

to transport wine. They also cultivated vines along its banks. In the

14th Century, the Avignon Popes were supplied with wines by local

producers. Wine growing continued to expand rapidly until the AOC

Côtes du Rhône was created in 1937.

With its long, hot and sunny growing season, tempered by the strong

mistral wind, the southern Rhône Valley is suited to growing red varietals such as Grenache,

Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre. Grenache and Syrah also make vibrant, fruity rosés and

Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier fresh, dry whites. Soils in the vineyards are rich and

diverse thanks to the influence of the all-important River Rhône.

This exciting region benefits from some of the most perfect conditions

for wine growing in the World; probably the reason why wine

production began as long ago as 600 BC! The hilly landscape is a beautiful,

natural environment with the Mediterranean coast never far away. It offers a

tremendous variety of terroirs, so that over 30 different varietals can be successfully

grown. Winters are generally mild. Summers are reliably warm and dry, allowing the

grapes to achieve excellent ripeness.

La Châsse winemakers select the best possible varietals, including Chardonnay, Merlot

and Shiraz, that thrive in Languedoc vineyards and importantly are known by wine

drinkers everywhere.

The Secret of our Vineyards

Nothing is more important in winemaking than the vineyards. Southern France is known

for its boundless diversity with unique landscapes, climates and soils allowing us to

produce a wide range of wines of complexity and character.

Our WinesOur Wines

Côtes du Rhône RéserveSmooth and seductive. Ripe and fruity red with complex hints of spice and vanilla.

Côtes du Rhône Red Prestige or TraditionIntense and spicy. Full of blackberry and red fruit character, it is a lively wine.

Côtes du Rhône White Prestige or TraditionFresh and fruity.Full of citrus and exotic fruit aromas and flavours.

Côtes du Rhône Rosé Prestige or TraditionGorgeous pale pink. Floral and raspberry aromas, with a touch of spice on the palate.

Côtes du Rhône Winemaker’s Selection A limited cuvée wine. Specially selected for its rich black fruit flavours and oak complexity.

Chardonnay Blanc de BlancsFabulous bubbles.Floral aromas with notes of quince and almond and a long, toasty finish.

ChardonnayElegant and lively.With its lighter, fresher style, this is an expressive, fruity unoaked wine.

Chardonnay – ViognierHarmonious and soft. Ripe citrus and exotic fruit flavours for this fresh, vivid white.

MerlotSmooth and mellow. Redolent of plums and other stone fruits, with a fleshy, long finish.

Sauvignon - GrenacheEasy drinking and refreshing.Aromas of white flowers and exotic fruits, dry and crisp.

Shiraz Deliciously juicy.Red berries and violets on the nose. Nicely structured and brimming with fruit.

Shiraz-Grenache Rosé or Shiraz RoséBright and vibrant.Ripe, juicy redcurrant and raspberry aromas and flavours in a refreshing style.

Cabernet SauvignonDelicious and complex.Velvety smooth, with ripe red pepper flavours and a touch of spice.

Saint Chinian

MONTPELLIER

BÉZIERS

NARBONNE

PERPIGNAN

Corbières

Côtes du Roussillon Villages

Rivesaltes

Minervois

Coteaux du Languedoc

Picpoul de Pinet

Faugères

Banyuls

Côtes du Roussillon

LANGUEDOC

Côte-Rôtie

CondrieuChâteau Grillet

Saint Joseph

Crozes-Hermitage

Hermitage

VALENCE

Côtes du Rhône

Grignan les Adhémar

Rasteau

GigondasVacqueyras

Ventoux

Luberon

AVIGNON

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

RHÔNE VALLEY

Our VineyardsOur Vineyards

Côtes du Rhône BioOrganically grown grapes. Bright, concentrated red with finesse and a tasty finish.

Languedoc

Paris

Rhône Valley

Traditional ValuesA Global BrandLa Châsse, in all its different guises, is first and foremost a consistently delicious and

good value wine. Head Winemaker, Véronique Torcolacci, creates traditional wines adapted

to today’s consumer tastes in an approachable and enjoyable fruity, silky style. Across

the range, she manages to achieve exceptional consistency from vintage to vintage.

The classic, traditional packaging of La Châsse also helps explain its

success. The detail and finesse of the labels is enhanced by the unique

moulded bottle that features the crest or “blason” of La Châsse.

Our home in the picturesque Rhône Valley is

precious and we do everything possible to care for the

environment. For more than 20 years Maison Gabriel

Meffre has been committed to sustainable agriculture and

earth-friendly development policies.

In order to limit our overall carbon footprint

we strive to improve our efficiencies and have obtained

the following certification: BRC, ISO 9001, IFS & HACCP.

We have gradually expanded these environmental

practices and socially responsible policies – lighterweight

bottles, water conservation, paper recycling, efficient use

of all inputs and resources – which remain at the heart of

our overall agricultural and economic concerns.

Our Values

Traditional Values

The Secret of our Values

We are tremendously proud of our history, our wines and our home in the picturesque

Rhône Valley. It is precious and we do everything possible to care for the environment.

Worldwide Appeal

A Global Brand

The Secret of our Worldwide Appeal

La Châsse is a firm favourite with wine drinkers everywhere thanks to its consistently

delicious, fruity and elegant style – a modern wine with classic values.

w La Châsse is distributed in 36 different countries around the world

w More than 4 million bottles of La Châsse have been sold per year for the past decade

w The top 5 markets for the brand are UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium and France

w La Châsse is the leading premium Rhône brand in the UK

Brand communications are dynamic and frequent, our website www.lachassewines.com

is a hub and reference point. Attractive POS and merchandising tools are available and

La Châsse has also successfully promoted itself through consumer competitions.

Chardonnay Viognier

Véronique Torcolacci is our modest, but hugely enthusiastic and talented Head Winemaker. She is responsible for the quality and

style of La Châsse and leads a team of equally devoted winemakers and viticulturalists. She loves the diversity and responsibility of her position, working hand in hand with the growers to create wines to

match the desires of customers around the world.

Food friendly French wines

Food & Wine Matching

Food friendly French wines What they say about La ChâsseWhat they say about La Châsse

The Secret of Food & Wine Matching

Focus on the wine’s structure – acidity, sweetness, body, tannins, alcohol – as well as its

flavours. The weight or intensity of a wine is especially important – lighter wines with lighter

foods and more full-bodied wines with more substantial and flavourful foods.

Our CustomersThe Secret Shared by our Customers

They love the quintessentially French character of La Châsse, especially the unique,

moulded crest bearing the Latin words “Solis Terraeque Vinum Fructus”, meaning “the

sun, the earth, the wine, the fruit”.

Arguably the relationship between wine and food is closer in France than anywhere else.

We enjoy savouring the balance and flavours of our cuisine. A perfect wine pairing really

enhances the experience of dining at home or in a restaurant.

The broad La Châsse range offers a wine to match with just about any type

of food - from Mediterranean to spicy Asian food, or more traditional cuisine.

Our website has many suggestions and a variety of delicious recipe ideas thanks

to our partnerships with local chefs and culinary experts.

A perfect wine pairing really enhances the experience of dining

“Reliable quality – a wine you are pleased to share with friends!”

“I have purchased and recommended La Châsse wines for many years”

“Love the taste – savouring the moment – a treat!”

“A delicious wine that can always be relied on”

“Love the embossed bottle ... reliable and established”

La Châsse is a proven favourite with wine lovers. Market research over the years consistently

backs this up. Comments from a La Châsse consumer survey:

94%86%

said “La Châsse is a wine I would buy again.”

said “La Châsse is a wine I would recommend to my friends.”

Decanter Awards

Shiraz Silver Medal

Côtes du Rhône Red Bronze Medal

International Wine Challenge

Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu Silver Medal

Côtes du Rhône White Silver Medal

La Châsse Shiraz-GrenacheBronze Medal

International Wine & Spirits Competition

Côtes du Rhône Red RéserveSilver Medal, Best In Class

La Châsse Blason d’Or Costières de Nîmes RedSilver Medal, Best In Class

La Châsse Syrah RoséBronze Medal

La Châsse Sauvignon-Grenache Bronze Medal

Top 100 Vin De Pays Awards

Chardonnay Viognier Gold Medal

Shiraz Grenache Gold Medal

Winning AwardsThe Secret of Winning awards

Nothing more than making the best wines we can. Our winemakers strive to create

a range of Rhône Valley and varietal wines in a fruity and silky style, for enjoyable

and relaxed drinking.

DISCOVER LES SECRETS DE LA CHÂSSE FOR

YOURSELF AT ALL MAJOR WINE SHOWS:

France Under One Roof, LIWF, VINEXPO, PROWEIN,

VINISUD, VINEXPO HONG KONG, BOSTON WINE EXPO, plus local and trade wine shows

all around the World

You are always welcome to visit us in Gigondas!

The Guardian:

“A marvelously solid, textured

wine of great class and

sensory impact…

I never imagined I’d enjoy

this brand so much”

Daily Telegraph:

“Hard to imagine how there

can be so much fruit in the

one bottle, but this truly packs it in”

Western Mail:

“A brilliantly expressive

wine, versatile performer

with a wide range foods”

Decanter:

“Brilliantly fresh, authentic

and great value”

BBC Olive Magazine:

“La Châsse is a name to rely on, one

that produces consistently delicious

wines at remarkably low prices”

Our SuccessOur Success

Merlot

www.lachassewines.comCONTACT US

E-mail: info@lachassewines.com

Tel: +33 (0)4 90 12 32 53

Fax: +33 (0)4 90 12 32 59

Maison Gabriel Meffre, Le Village, 84 190 Gigondas – France