Terroir
The Moët & Chandon champagne house is located in Épernay. Champagne’s total vineyard covers more than 34,000 hectares. Here, a cool continental climate prevails. The terroir consists of a thick layer of limestone and chalk. This allows the roots of the plantings to access necessary nutrients easily. The terroir is ideal for grapes as it is well permeable to water. In addition, the chalk acts as a sponge, retaining water and releasing it in drier times. This high humidity is ideal for maturing champagne. That is why many cellars are carved into the lime.
About Moët & Chandon
Moët & Chandon is one of the largest and most famous champagne houses. Worldwide, champagne from this estate is considered utter luxury. It was founded in 1743 by Claude Moët. In 1832, ‘Chandon’ was added to the name when his son-in-law joined the company. And because General Napoleon was a big fan the champagne house and a friend of Jean-Rémy Moët, you will also see the word ‘Impérial’ on the bottles and corks.
Dom Pérignon: the father of champagne
Champagne is named after the Benedictine monk Dom Pierre Pérignon. Pierre was immensely driven: his goal was to produce the best wine in the world. People also call him the ‘father of champagne’. Although he is not the founder of champagne, he is considered the inventor of sparkling wine.
As cellar master in the 17th century, he played an important role in the development of champagne. For example, he replaced the wood on the bottle with a cork. This is preferable for preserving bubbles in the bottle and extends the shelf life of the champagne. Pierre is also to thank for the thicker glass of the bottles. This prevents explosions.
Cuvée de prestige
Dom Pérignon is a Cuvée de prestige; the best champagne within the Moët & Chandon champagne house. Only the very best grapes from exceptionally good years are used for its production. Dom Pérignon is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The champagne is aged in the cellar for at least seven years before it enters the market. During this period, it undergoes a second fermentation inside the bottle, creating its unique flavour and bubbles.
Status
Moët & Chandon is a true status symbol and is frequently ordered in nightlife. That is why some bottles even have a glow-in-the-dark label: Dom Perignon Luminous. The brand has also partnered with celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Lenny Kravitz on several occasions.