Moët & Chandon

Moët & Chandon Champagne: One of the world's most influential, successful and glamorous Champagne producers.

Moët & Chandon's history began in 1743 when Claude Moët, a wine merchant in Épernay, founded the Maison Moët. In 1833, the winery took the name of Moët et Chandon when Pierre-Gabriel Chandon entered the management team. He was the son-in-law of Jean-Rémy Moët, who was then the company's director. Jean-Rémy was the founder's grandson and a great original-thinking entrepreneur who started the large-scale expansion of Moët & Chandon Champagne throughout Europe and all over the world.

With more than 1,150 hectares in the Champagne region, 50% of them classed as Grand Cru and a further 25% as Premier Cru, Moët & Chandon can count upon an extensive variety of vineyards of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, the three predominant grapes in Champagne production. The easily-recognisable house style is epitomised by its lively fruity character, seductive palate and elegant maturity.

Since 1962, Moët & Chandon has belonged to the prominent LVMH group, producing exclusive luxury items, and is one of their most renowned and prolific brands. It is also the maker of another highly prestigious label, Dom Pérignon, the brand which bears the name of the monk attributed with the origins of Champagne.

Dom Pierre Pérignon was in charge of the cellars at the Abbey of Hautvillers until his death in 1715, and was unceasing in his efforts to obtain, as he put it, "the best wine in the world". To this purpose and right in the heart of the Champagne appellation, Dom Pérignon invented and perfected techniques in the making of a wine whose reputation has continued to grow ever since. Nowadays, Dom Pérignon Champagne perpetuates the brand's true spirit by seeking balance among its blends, always utilising the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties. The excellent provenance and quality of its grapes (sourced from the 17 Grands Crus of Champagne), and the mastery of its methodology, create for Dom Pérignon veritable vintage Champagnes, with an identity that's well discernible due to its salty, toasty, smoky and mineral nuances.

Other wineries in the LVMH group: Ruinart, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Krug and Jas. Hennessy & Co.