Champagne Moët & Chandon
Champagne house in Épernay, Vallée de la Marne.
- Village
- Épernay
- Region
- Vallée de la Marne
- Founded
- 1743
- Cuvées in the guide
- 13
Moët & Chandon is a historic champagne house founded in 1743 by Claude Moët in Épernay, France. The house grew into a global brand under the leadership of his grandson Jean-Rémy Moët, who maintained ties with, among others, Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1833 the name was changed to Moët & Chandon after Pierre-Gabriel Chandon joined. In 1971 the company merged with Hennessy and later with Louis Vuitton, making it part of the luxury group LVMH.
The vineyards cover approximately 1,200 to 1,300 hectares (sometimes up to 35,000 ha including contracts) in the five sub-regions of Champagne. The house owns 50% Grand Cru and 25% Premier Cru plots. Only about 25% of production is made with its own grapes; the rest comes from contract growers. The grape varieties are Pinot Noir (about 39%), Pinot Meunier (32%) and Chardonnay (29%). The house has five pressing centres (Vendangeoirs) and an underground cellar complex of 28 kilometres beneath Épernay.
The approach follows the traditional method with second fermentation in the bottle. The house is known for innovation, such as the introduction of Grand Vintage champagnes in 1842 and Ice Impérial in 2011. Historically, Fort Chabrol played a crucial role in combating the phylloxera plague. The cellar masters, such as André Goutorbe and Dominique Foulon, have shaped the style of the house; today the house style is safeguarded by Benoît Gouez.
The main champagnes are:
- Moët Impérial: The non-vintage flagship, introduced in 1869, named after Napoleon.
- Grand Vintage: Produced only in exceptional years, with bottle ageing of 5-7 years.
- Dom Pérignon: A prestigious vintage champagne that historically belongs to the empire (50% Chardonnay/50% Pinot Noir).
- Ice Impérial: A fruity blend intended for consumption with ice.
- Rosé Impérial: An expressive rosé version of the classic blend.
The champagne house produces more than 30 million bottles a year and is the largest champagne house in the world in terms of volume and vineyard holdings.
Cuvées by Moët & Chandon
Importers
Moët & Chandon is imported by: Best of Wines, Boonstra Wijnen, Bovino, De Larense Wijnkoperij, Gall & Gall, HANOS, Huis van Champagne, Moët Hennessy Nederland, Pasteuning Wines & Spirits BV, Perfecte Wijn B.V., Thiessen Wijnkoopers, Wijnkoperij Luuc van Boort.
Where it is sold
Shops and wholesalers carrying Moët & Chandon: Best of Wines, Boonstra Wijnen, Bottle Hero, Bovino, Cavissima, De Larense Wijnkoperij, Gall & Gall, Goedkoop Drank Slijterij, HANOS, Het Borreluur, Huis van Champagne, L'Atelier du Champagne, Muselet, Pasteuning Wines & Spirits BV, Perfecte Wijn B.V., Sligro, Slijterij Henk Peter, Thiessen Wijnkoopers, Ton Overmars, Vinify, Wijnhandel en Slijterij Brouwer, Wijnhandel Peeters.
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