chateau
/ˈʃatəʊ
/(also château /ˈʃatəʊ/ /ˈʃato/)
noun (plural chateaux or chateaus pronounced same or /-təʊz/)
A large French country house or castle, often giving its name to wine made in its neighbourhood: [in names]: Château Margaux...
- While most Sauvignon Blanc wines from Bordeaux are consumed within a few years of the vintage, the dry and sweet wines from the great chateaux can age for decades.
- Can you imagine the uproar if Château Lafite started adding other châteaux's wine to cope with increased demand?
- For the third time in 150 years, the vineyards of France were witness to war and the French vignerons and chateaux owners once again set about their wartime tasks.
Origin
Mid 18th century: French, from Old French chastel (see castle).