Summary
Moët & Chandon from Épernay is the largest and best-known Champagne house in the world. Founded in 1743 by Claude Moët, the house has helped shape Champagne's reputation as the drink for celebrations and special moments over almost three centuries. Unlike many big brands, Moët has vast vineyards of its own covering around 1,190 hectares – the largest vineyard area in all of Champagne. The flagship Brut Impérial is one of the best-selling Champagnes of all, and with Dom Pérignon the house is also home to one of the most legendary prestige cuvées in the world. Today Moët & Chandon is part of the luxury group LVMH.
History
The story of the house begins in 1743, when the wine merchant Claude Moët founded his trading business in Épernay. Under his grandson Jean-Rémy Moët, the house became internationally known in the early 19th century – thanks in part to his friendship with Napoleon Bonaparte, from which the epithet "Impérial" is said to derive. In 1833 Pierre-Gabriel Chandon de Briailles joined the company, which has been called Moët & Chandon ever since.
Over the course of the 20th century, the house grew into the world's leading Champagne producer. It became the core of the corporate group that later merged with the cognac house Hennessy and finally with Louis Vuitton to form the luxury conglomerate LVMH. Today Moët & Chandon is its most prominent Champagne brand.
Location & Terroir
Épernay is regarded as the capital of Champagne and lies at the heart of the growing region. Beneath the famous Avenue de Champagne runs a labyrinth of more than 28 kilometres of cool, evenly tempered cellar galleries in which millions of bottles mature.
The house's own vineyards stretch across Champagne's classic sub-regions, including many Grand Cru and Premier Cru sites. The chalk and limestone soils are decisive: they store water, release warmth evenly and give the base wines that freshness and mineral tension that are indispensable for great Champagne.
Style & Philosophy
Moët & Chandon's style aims for consistency and approachability. The Brut Impérial is meant to taste the same year after year – fresh, fruity and harmonious. To achieve this, the cellar master blends base wines from many different sites and vintages into a consistent house cuvée. The three classic grape varieties each make their contribution: Chardonnay finesse, Pinot Noir structure, Pinot Meunier fruit.
Alongside the style-defining non-vintage line there are Rosé and demi-sec variants as well as expressive vintage Champagnes (Grand Vintage). At the very top stands the independent prestige cuvée Dom Pérignon, which is produced only in exceptional vintages.
Notable Sites & Wines
The range includes some of the best-known Champagnes in the world:
- Brut Impérial – the style-defining non-vintage Champagne and the flagship of the house
- Rosé Impérial – the fruit-forward rosé variant
- Nectar Impérial – a sweeter, demi-sec style
- Grand Vintage – vintage Champagne from especially good years
- Dom Pérignon – the house's legendary prestige cuvée
Awards
As the world's largest Champagne house, Moët & Chandon is a synonym for Champagne itself. The Brut Impérial is one of the best-selling Champagnes of all, and Dom Pérignon is among the most prestigious sparkling wines in the world. Beyond its sheer size, the house has helped shape the cultural status of Champagne as a drink for celebrations and successes worldwide – from the courts of the 19th century to the great stages of the present day.