When you visit the wine cellars of Moët
& Chandon in Épernay, 10 to 30
metres below ground a shiver runs through us.
Not only because of the cold, but also
because of the rich history of this great
champagne house created almost three
centuries ago in 1743. When you roam around
those vast limestone cellars that stretch out
over 28 kilometres, you begin to think that
one of the mazes might lead you to Napoleon
Bonaparte sabering champagne with his friend
Jean-Rémy Moët after having
granted him the Legion of Honour. The emperor
liked champagne, but he also liked the
boldness and business acumen of the
founder’s grandson, Claude Moët.
Napoleon would often visit the estate after
his campaigns, and the champagne Moët
& Chandon Brut Impérial was
created in his honour back in 1869. What can
explain 150 years of such tremendous success?
It’s all about the perfect balance
between three grape varieties: Pinot
Noir, Pinot Meunier, and local Chardonnay,
along with a ble