Moët & Chandon are the most famous producers in Champagne. First founded in 1743 by Claude Moët, it was the marketing acumen of Rémy Moët which initiated the brand's international fame and mass volume production. Since then, Moët & Chandon have grown by acquiring other champagne estates, selling them forward and keeping their prestigious vineyards. Such large-scale production could only operate under the leadership of a truly superb Chef de Caves and in Benoît Gouez, Moët have one of the best. With a ten-man oenologist team led by chief Dom Pérignon winemaker Richard Geoffroy, Benoît has access to the most academic minds and palates in the region, no doubt a huge driving factor behind his success. Now proprietors to the largest amount of land: some 1,190-hecatres of rich limestone soil, and the largest extent of cellars: over twenty eight kilometres.

Every Grand Vintage is unique and original, the Cellar Master's interpretation of the singular year that is produced. The Möet & Chandon Grand Vintage spirit is founded on three essential values: Freedom of interpretation, selection of the year's most remarkable wines and individuality of the vintage. 1992 is the 61st Vintage. The grapes in Moët & Chandon’s Grand Vintage 1992 come from the maison’s extensive vineyards, which span the five main areas of Champagne. The scope and diversity of these vineyards – in Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, Vallée de la Marne, Sézanne and Aube – ensure the optimum selection of grapes, year after year. In this vintage, the chardonnay and pinot noir were grown primarily in Côte des Blancs, where the terroir imparts elegance and freshness. The meunier was grown in Vallée de la Marne, an area where the soil is particularly suited to the more vigorous varietal.

Weather: The 1992 season experienced a very long and extremely hot summer with isolated hail storms. However, the grapes had superb levels of ripeness and a high total acidity level and champagnes from this vintage have very good ageing potential.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: Predominantly Grand & Premier Crus
Grape Varieties: 45% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier
Disgorged: February 2004
Lees Ageing: 11 Years
Dosage: 7.5 g/l
Drink: Now to 2032

Tasting Note: A medium gold colour with aromas of creme brulée and cappuccino. and dried lemon. A mature and harmonious mid palate with a creamy mouthfeel. A crisp and round finish.

Put simply, Moët & Chandon are the most famous producers in Champagne. With production (rumoured to be in the region of thirty million bottles annually) accounting for over one-tenth of the entire region's, their role as an image builder for the appellation as a whole cannot be overstated. First founded in 1743 by Claude Moët, it was the marketing acumen of Rémy Moët which initiated the brand's international fame and mass volume production. Realising the business potential of his close friendship with Napoleon, Rémy even built the emperor a palace, Trianon on Avenue de Champagne.

Since then, Moët & Chandon have grown by acquiring other champagne estates, selling them forward and keeping their prestigious vineyards. Such large-scale production could only operate under the leadership of a truly superb Chef de Caves and in Benoît Gouez, Moët have one of the best. With a ten-man oenologist team led by chief Dom Pérignon winemaker Richard Geoffroy, Benoît has access to the most academic minds and palates in the region, no doubt a huge driving factor behind his success. Now proprietors to the largest amount of land: some 1,190-hecatres of rich limestone soil, and the largest extent of cellars: over twenty eight kilometres, Moët & Chandon's future is as secure as their champagnes are delicious.

Cellar Master: Benoît Gouez
Winery Location: Épernay | Champagne, France
Champagne Region: Côte des Blancs
Annual Production (bottles): Undisclosed