Chaberts: An Englishwoman in Provence

The english people are known to buy property and settle in Provence in increasing numbers these years . Anglophones there even have their newspaper, like the Riviera-reporter. One of them has been living here for more than 25 years, and most unusual, she has been making wine , in the Coteaux Varois appellation . Betty Ann Cundall, in her Chateau des Chaberts, has been quietly working on her wine , winning medals and awards for years throughout France for her whites, reds and roses . 12 medals in 2004 already, including two stars (**) in the Hachette wine guide for her rose wine . Chateau des Chaberts is located in inner Var , not far from Brignoles , near a village named Gareoult (map). If you want to visit, the Domaine is on the road from Gareoult to La Roquebrussanne (D 64 ) , There is a sign on the right , take then a small road (about 1 km) and you are there . Ph: 33 (0)4 94 04 92 05 This inner Var region is a mix of hills ranging from 600 m to 1000 m altitude (mostly forest and "garrigue") , and plateaus (altitude about 400 m) . This is as provencal as it can be , with beautiful villages with many fountains , cicadas , and rosemary , thyme, fennel, juniper growing in the wild in the hills . The altitude brings cooler nights . Also , it is less crowded and overbuilt here than on the coast . Most of the hills and mountains in Var , like the ones Chateau des Chaberts is backed to, is provencal wilderness as you have always dreamed of . Her Estate is a nice traditional provencal house with cellar and winemaking facility in an adjacent building . The vineyards are all around . The Domaine is curled on a valley on the first slopes of the Loube mountain range, a sort of de facto natural park off limits to development and constructions , and home to wild boars and other provencal wild life .Betty opens the gates to her vineyards

The Chateau des Chaberts sits on a area known for making wine since the roman times. Vineyards make 30 hectares of a total of 250 hectares with garrigue, olive trees , truffle oak trees . Soil is : Stones , chalky clay . The Chateau des chaberts situation, on the foothills of the Loube mountains range, makes for a microclimate that serves the wine : The Mistral wind that regurlarly blows in the region, is less harsh here than in other parts of the area .

The Foothills, Domaine, and Vineyards...
Betty Ann Cundall has been investing both with new machinery and with replanting . Grape varieties here in the Coteaux Varois Appellation are different from the Cotes de Provence . Maximum authorized yield is 50 hectoliters/hectare . In fact at Chaberts, it is most of the time something like 35 ho/ha .The Domaine has some Mourvedre vineyards, wich is rare in the region .
Harvest is 1st week of september to end of october (Mourvedre the latest) . Several cuvees for each wine colour . Chaberts also makes Blanc de Blanc, a sparkling white , and also a sparkling rose . The store also shows magnum and Mathusalem bottles , wax sealed for special occasions .
Her wine is sold to wine stores, cavistes, good restaurants and exported (including of course in the UK)
So, let's taste :

__1__ Chateau des Chaberts Coteaux Varois white "cuvee prestige" 2002 . Aromatic . fresh . Good length . 7 Euro .

__2__ Chateau des Chaberts Coteaux Varois Rose "Cuvee Prestige" 2003 . Clear salmon colour . refreshing . Delicate and floral . litchees , says B. This one had ** in the Hachette guide .

__3__ Chateau des Chaberts coteaux varois red "Cuvee Prestige" 2001 Syrah , Grenache , Cabernet Sauvignon & Mourvedre . Supple tannins . Red fruits aromas . Can age 6 to 10 years .
The cuvee prestige wines are priced 7 and 7,5 Euro .
The "Cuvee Bacchus" cost 5,5 Euro (white, rose and red) The sparkling Blanc de Blanc is 8 Euro .
SCI Domaine des Chaberts

83136 Garéoult

Tel: (33) 494 04 92 05; Fax: (33) 494 04 00 97
[email protected]

Chaberts gooses

Comments

[Petter]

Hello!
Two days ago at an Indian Restaurant in Oslo - Ch. des Chaberts Coteaux Varoix 2000, red fantastic wine. I live in Sweden and I wonder if you export this excellent wine to any place in my country?

Warm regards

Petter Akerblom

[Lt Cdr James Byron]

Betty,

Good Morning. I have recently joined HMS MONMOUTH and am enjoying working alongside Roger Readwin. I am also very much enjoying the Chateau des Chaberts Coteaux Varois Rose we still have onboard... I would like to know, however, if you export to the UK or is there any way I can get some delivered before Christmas (It is so nice, I want some at home for the festive period!!).

[Gilbert T. Vasquez]

Greetings from San Diego. I've googled a terrific champagne I bought in Paris last year and would like to buy more. I "googled" the information on the label and came to this site. Was wondering if you could point me in the right direction.

Champ C. Rocassel
Damery Marne
Le Repaire Cuvee de Bacchus
Cuvee Evenement

Thanks so much for your help. (please write me at [email protected] if you have any link info)

[Lowell Lincycomb]

I was at your vineyard in 1999 with some of the officers from the USS Inchon. While there I bought 3 bottles of wine and brought them back to the US with me. These wines were bottled in 1995. Now it's 2009 and I have one bottle left. I was wondering when would be the best time to open it or is it to old now. Please write me at [email protected]

[john doe]

Chaberts goats? are you sure ? Goose?

[Bertrand]

You're right, John Doe, thanks. Correction made.

[max thomas]

Dear Betty,
Went to Lords last week to watch a test much very excited to see your Rosé on the wine list and made my day drinking it (most of it as my son was driving).
look forward to seeing you in September with Rupert and Jane ,have a good summer.
Max Thomas

[David Tremain]

Hello Betty,
I am researching Stella Lonsdale also known as Pitt-Rivers, for a book about her. Sometime in the 1960s she and her then husband Raoul Maumen, moved to a vineyard in Provence referred to as 'Stelladoux'. Since you are close to the chemin de Stelladou, I am wondering whether this is the same vineyard? Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated and acknowledged in my book.
I haven't seen your wines here in Canada, but i wish I had! Perhaps the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) could import some.
Best wishes,
David

[David Tremain]

Following on from my last post, I just discovered that the SAQ in Quebec has some of your wines, so I must take a trip across the river from Ottawa!
David