Sarasota an Important Location for Swiss Winemaking Family

Through family and close friends, Sarasota has been a very important location for the Chaudet-Briaux family for many years. Plus, the family appreciates the strong sense of similarity between Sarasota and Switzerland, where the Chaudet-Briaux vineyards are located in the French-speaking town of Rivaz, on the shores of Lake Geneva (a.k.a. Lac Léman) next to the town of Vevey (home to the famous “tramp” Charlie Chaplin for the last 25 years of his life).

The estate’s General Manager, fifth-generation family owner Titouan Chaudet-Briaux, was born and raised in the wine culture and hasn’t missed a single harvest since his earliest days. After completing his Swiss compulsory military service, Titouan attended a national winemaking institute where he obtained a Federal Certificate and went on to study economics at the University of Fribourg before joining the family business.

Erich Imhof, a head of international sales for Domaine Chaudet, reports that two things account for this wine’s exceptional existence. “First, there’s the variety of grapes which are indigenous to Switzerland—Chasselas for the white wine, and Gamaret-Garanoir for the reds,” he says. “For over a thousand years, only the Swiss have grown Chasselas, which must be worked by hand due to the extreme steepness of the terraces that were built by monks in the 13th century.”

A good Chasselas is dry and refreshing with a slight floral expression and lots of minerality. Imhof points out that a Chasselas is low in alcohol (11.5-12% ABV) and can easily be “enjoyed from the aperitif all the way to the cheese, with all kinds of dishes. It’s a very good all-around white wine that carries the imprint of its terroir beautifully.”

While Chasselas are traditionally drunk young—often before three years old—more and more are aging them, which gives them a golden robe that’s rich with the smell of honey and beeswax, and in the mouth, it can resemble a fine dry sherry.

Domaine Chaudet wine will only be available in select restaurants and wine boutiques in Sarasota this summer—for exact locations, watch for announcements on website. They’ll also host a series of key wine-tasting events as well at some of the area hotels and restaurants.

Without a doubt, this is the type of wine that area enophiles will appreciate. Keep an eye out for Titouan’s delicious Chaudet-Briaux at your favorite wine venues toward the end of 2021.

For more information on Domaine Chaudet, please visit www.vins-chaudet.ch