Moet & Chandon
Visiting the Moet & Chandon maison & cellars was one of the most memorable & unique experiences I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying. We received a private VIP tour of the cellars which are located 10-30 meters below ground. It’s a 28 km maze of underground tunnels located under Avenue de Champagne in Eparney, France. It gets cold down there, so they provide you with a nice warm blanket. The tour was guided by Alexandra who was an expert in the history & all facts pertaining to Moet & Chandon.
Here are some some fascinating facts we learnt:
- Moet & Chandon was founded in 1743 and the original cellars remain in place!
- Napoleon Bonaparte was a friend and client of Moet & Chandon. He visited the maison many times & the tree under which we sat for our tasting was the same tree under which he stood!
- Moet & Chandon champagne is a mixture of 3 kinds of grapes: Pinot Noir, Meunier & Chardonnay
The process of making such an exquisite champagne is very long & labour intensive. From the handpicked grapes, to the person who rotates over 52k bottles per day to the select group of people who tastes & vote before making a final decision on the champagne of a given year. Not to mention all the factors that impact champagne production: natural elements, weather, crop yield, etc. Seeing how it’s made, I appreciate the Champagne now more than ever, it’s a luxury item well worth its price.
After the guided tour, we had the opportunity of tasting the 2013 Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage, guided by a sommelier. “Each Grand Vintage is unique and expresses the Moët & Chandon Cellar Master’s personal interpretation of the year. The maturity of this 2013 champagne – the 75th Grand Vintage in the House’s history – is immediately apparent. Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2013 is a champagne marked by a late harvest. It encapsulates a year of waiting, a year of anticipation. The season shines through in its flavours and aromas, while its maturity is expressed through its autumnal notes, golden hue and persistent bubbles.”
We’re grateful to have lived such an incredible hosted VIP experience! If you’d like to live it too, check out: https://www.moet.com/en-ca/visit-us
XO,
WCX