September is a marvellous time to visit the castle of Moet & Chandon in the Champagne. The sun is still warm, and it is harvest time in Epernay.
Epernay is a picturesque village, about 1 hour from Paris to the East, with some traditional bistros around the central market place to enjoy lunch. O, and of course, the castle. When you take a tour around the cellars, you will become a connoisseur of Moet & Chandon and Dom Perignon in less than 90 minutes. Even when there are still quite pleasant temperatures outside, you might want to cover your arms with a foulard or a cardigan. Down to the cellars, there is the same low constant temperature and humidity around the year. Take a long breath and jump into another time.
The deeper the stairs you take, the deeper you dive into the history of Moet Chandon. Was there this monk Dom Pérignon who cultivated the very first champaign in the 17th Century? But he had to meet with Monsieur Moet to make his knowledge an international export success. A Researcher (Dom Pérignon), a smart businessman ( Claude Moet) and a convinced brand ambassador ( Napoleon Bonaparte): this is still an impressing story about how a Luxury company skyrocketed in the 19th Century. 2.5 Million bottles exported in 1880!
It is the most amazing product ever. On the one hand, Champagne is something which you don't need. On the other, it is a delightful fact to know that every second, a bottle of Champagne is opened somewhere in this world. The wish to celebrate the pleasure of life seems to be prevalent above the fierce price, right?
Something I was wondering about: Can you tell the difference between a Dom Perignon and a Moet Chandon? And did you ever ask yourself why all Moet Chandon taste more or less the same, no matter where you buy them on the world and which year? The tour provided some answers.
Moet is usually a Cuvée, therefore a mix from 4 different sorts of grapes only from the soil of particular Champagne regions or contracted wineries. They are matured to a most, which is stored from the best years, and that base- wine " Most" is kept and mixed and matched in a controlled procedure with better performing and less performing wines of the year. Only when the cellar master is approving the continuity of the taste, the bottle is allowed to leave the castle for sale. The protocol of the Queen could not be more precise about what has to be done with a Champagne bottle and when, in the maturing process to create the desired result.
A Dom Perignon, on the other hand, can consist of only one sort of grapes, or a maximum of two. It is usually matured much longer and not mixed with other mosts, but expresses an individual taste. Literally, no Dom Perignon bottle is like one another!
As it is still summer, I must confess that I personally like Moet Chandon Ice Imperial. I love plopping some extra ice cubes in it. It is beautiful to be enjoyed at a fancy beach bar, in a Cabana or on a private terrace with a view. It has some fruity tastes, which makes it even more refreshing and seductive.
Below, you can see some products which Moet& Chandon designed to go along with Ice Imperial and which they are selling in their shop in Epernay.
I wish you an excellent closing of the summer with a glass of Champagne!
And please don't drink and drive!
#Champagne # Luxurybrand# ArtofLife# MoetChandon#DomPerignon
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