As any oenophile knows, not all champagnes are created equal. While Clos19 may be home to some of the finest fizzes in the world, subtle nuances in flavour and vintage can make all the difference when it comes to taste and every champagne connoisseur has their favourites.
In our final piece this summer in collaboration with the world-renowned experts at Clos19, we take you down the path of discovery to your champagne personality. Which of their five famous champagne brands is your perfect partner?
For a classic celebration…MOËT & CHANDON
Since first gracing the scene in 1743, Moët & Chandon’s innovative spirit and winemaking savoir-faire has been passed through the generations to become the household name we know today. Its founder, Claude Moët, made his champagne the most sought-after in Europe after creating a brut non-vintage in 1869; distinguished by its vibrancy, seductiveness and elegance, it’s what we know today as Moët Impérial, the House’s first brut after bucking the trend for sweet champagnes.
It’s become known as the champagne of celebration, with champagne showers, impressive pyramids of flutes and the traditional boat christening fall launched by this brand. From its first introduction to the world stage in 1900 at the Paris World Fair, to the 1967 racing champion Dan Gurney spraying champagne from the winners’ podium at La Mans which is a tradition still seen today, it’s also been the champagne of the Golden Globes since 1992.
View this post on Instagram
This blend comprises 30-40% pinot noir, 30-40% meunier and 20-30% chardonnay grapes – harvested from the most extensive estate in the region – providing the champagne with body, suppleness and finesse. More than 100 wines are used in the blend to enhance maturity and complexity while maintaining the distinguished Moët style. Well, if it’s good enough for the Hollywood A-List…
For a touch of folly… VEUVE CLICQUOT
There’s a reason Veuve Clicquot champagnes have been enhancing the finest receptions since 250 years; because they represent a chic and audacious “art de vivre” that the House has been cultivating since its creation. Founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot’s, his ambition was to conquer the world, a feat ultimately achieved by his daughter-in-law Barbe Ponsardin after she took over the family business at just 27 years old. She perfected production techniques, invented the riddling table and innovated with the first blended rosé champagne.
View this post on Instagram
Instantly recognisable, Veuve Clicquot’s Yellow Label Brut is the maison’s signature champagne and the one against which all others are judged, created in 1877 for a British market that desired ‘dry’ wines, balancing strength, aromatic intensity and freshness. It’s been a staple fixture at the most discerning of events ever since. This signature champagne gains its structure from the predominant presence of pinot noir (50- 55%), roundness from meunier (15-20%) and elegance from chardonnay (28-33%). The grapes are sourced from 50 to 60 crus, and the blend comprises 25- 45% reserve wines that have been aged up to 15 years.
For a unique vintage…DOM PÉRIGNON
Only available as a vintage, Dom Pérignon has become synonymous with vintage champagne and prestige cuvées since the release of its first bottle. As only the best grapes are selected, each vintage uniquely reinterprets the unique character of the seasons and marks a reinvention for the brand every time. With an omnipresent aura of precision and mystery, its roots lie in a 17th century monk Dom Pierre Pérignon who nurtured an ambition to create ‘the best wine in the world’.
View this post on Instagram
Three centuries later, Dom Pérignon perpetuates this exceptional artisan’s vision and work, and he is now considered to be the spiritual father of champagne. With every vintage a unique creation with its own unique identity, it’s the decision of the Chef de Cave to decide if the vintage will be declared; if the fruit doesn’t satisfy the house’s impeccable criteria, no vintage will be declared. A subtle balance characterises the House champagnes, an alliance of ripeness, vibrancy, lightness and intensity, giving the wine the potential to age with suppleness and elegance.
For the discerning foodie…KRUG
The only House that has been creating only Prestige champagne every year since its foundation in 1843, the House of Krug still illustrates the amazing adventure of its founder, Joseph Krug, whose dream was to be able to offer the very best champagne he could create every single year, regardless of the harvest and annual variations in climate.
View this post on Instagram
Now run by Olivier Krug, the sixth generation of the Krug family, the house pays close attention to the vineyard’s character, meaning all its champagnes are different expressions of nature but with the same undisputed quality and distinction. With 250 plots’ wines from the year and 150 plots’ wines from 14 different years drawn from the vast reserve wine library, the art of blending is taken to its peak every year. The result is that Krug Grand Cuvée is the sommelier, connoisseur and foodie’s champagne of choice, re-created every year, beyond the notion of vintage and is always a blend of over 120 individual wines from more than 10 different years.
For elegant sophistication… RUINART
The world’s very first champagne house, Ruinart has been a symbol of French “art de vivre” since it was founded in 1729, with its time-honoured savoir-faire passed down through generations for nearly 300 years. The House remains dedicated to supporting local craftsmanship and showcasing artistic talent while remaining firmly committed to continuous innovation.
Founded by Nicolas Ruinart after his uncle, a Benedictine monk, foretold that a new ‘wine with bubbles’ was destined for greatness. The timing coincided with the dawn of a new era of France, driving a culture with a penchant for the finer things in life. Enjoying close relations with the art world for many years, Ruinart often gives carte blanche to well-known artists as well as providing support for major art fairs throughout the world.
View this post on Instagram
Intensely aromatic and fresh, Ruinart Blanc de Blancs is the maison’s signature champagne, created with 100% chardonnay from terroirs in Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims. Blended from the harvest of various years to ensure consistent quality, this blanc de blancs champagne is a classic example of the style – smooth with a characteristic luminosity. The chalkiness of the soil allows for a pure expression of the grape’s flavours, and ageing in the crayères develops its aromatic richness.
Any Questions or Tips to add?