Dom Perignon
Dom Pérignon is one of the most famous champagne. On television, in many movies, blogs and vlogs you have the chance to see a bottle of Champagne and in many cases it is a Dom Perignon.
Dom Perignon is a Champagne brand of Moët & Chandon. But that's now: the story goes way back.
The Champagne is named after Dom Pierre Pérignon, a Benedictine monk who lived in the 17th century and made significant improvements to the production and quality of champagne. In that century the majority of the wines of Champagne were red wines. Although he is falsely credited with inventing sparkling champagne, Pérignon pioneered methods that improved the methods of making Champagne. Many monarchs highly appreciated his Champagne like the French King Louis XIV.
Here are some key facts about Dom Pierre Pérignon:
- Pérignon was born in 1638 in Saint-Menehould (Champagne) and he became a Benedictine at the age of 19.
- He served as cellar master of the Abbey of Hautvillers (Épernay), where he made significant improvements in the process of making wine.
- Pérignon invented a press that allowed him to make a white wine from blue grapes.
- He understood the strong influence of climate and terroir on winemaking
- He (re)introduced the cork as an efficient closure of a bottle, and used stronger glass that was better able to withstand pressure.
- Pérignon's white wines were sold in Paris and London, and he had the sense to name his wares after his own name, which helped to create a cult of personality around his brand of champagne.
The brand name Dom Perignon was registered by Eugène Mercier in the beginning of the 20th century. Eventually het sold it to Moët & Chandon, who used the new brand name for their flagship Champagne in 1937.
Dom Perignon is a blend of around 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir.
Dom Perignon used to have late releases of their vintage Champagnes called oenothèque. Since 2014, the term is no longer used, instead, they use the word "Plenitude" to describe the Champagne that remains in contact with its lees, and hereby increases in ‘plenitude’. It can be disgorged any time and released, so to offer a different expression of the same vintage with any new disgorging.
A Dom Pérignon Vintage is released after 7 to 8 years of maturing. When the Champagne is released after 12 to 15 years it is now branded P2. That used to be the first oenothèque release. When the Champagne is released after 30 years it is branded as P3.
Dom Perignon Champagne is rated high by professional wine journalists. The wines score high in the 90’s points. The Oenotheque, P2 and P3 score 95+ points.
Dom Perignon can age for a very long time. The 1961 and 1966 are still superb wines.