The idea was born during an emotional tasting. A bottle of vintage champagne with a golden colour and a winy taste was opened. Kay Rieck asked Karl how Champagne was and that was enough for Karl to organize the trip the following month.

They left in June for the beautiful region of Champagne, located in the north-eastern of France.

Champagne is today known and recognized worldwide for its excellence. Its northern geographical position, its harsh climate, its unique subsoil and its hillside location make it a totally original terroir, which gives Champagne wines their typicality.

The sub-soil, mainly composed of limestone, allows constant natural irrigation throughout the year. The hillsides expose the vines for optimal sunshine.

The region is divided into four sub-regions: The Montagne of Reims, the Côte des Blancs and the Côte de Sézanne, the Marne valley and the Côte des Bar. There are 59 municipalities among the 320 of Champagne that are entitled to the Premier Cru or Grand Cru appellation, a guarantee of a high-quality grape.

Dom Pérignon 2008

A luxury reference in the imagination of consumers, Dom Pérignon stands out from other Champagne houses by keeping its vintages for just one harvest. These are so-called “vintage” champagnes. Generally, in Champagne, the wines are made from a reserve vintage to achieve a similar and constant aromatic identity, year after year.

For each of the house’s vintages, it is the chef de cave who decides how to compose the blend, with pinot noir and chardonnay of last year, before starting the slow ageing. Otherwise, he has to decide if the quality is good enough to “proclaim a vintage”, as the house says. This shows the importance that a chef de cave embodies at Dom Pérignon. Richard Geoffroy has declared fifteen vintages and has lent his palate to the brand for 28 years. He passed the baton to Vincent Chaperon on January 1, 2019. A new era is beginning.