A. The day that Champagne bottles are disgorged after secondary fermentation
B. A particular breed of sheep that graze on cover crops in Rhône vineyards
C. An above ground cellar where wine is stored and aged in Bordeaux
D. The level of barrel toast preferred for aging Burgundy wine
C.
Pronounced “shay” in French, chai refers to the cellar where wine is stored and aged, usually in Bordeaux. It typically refers to an above-ground room or separate storage area. Additional important terms for winemaking and storage in France include château, which can be much more than the palatial estate most often associated with the term. Any building from a farmhouse to a garage that is attached to vineyards with winemaking and storage facilities on the property can be a château. Within the château are the chai (wine storage area) and the cuverie (the building where wine is made).
