Didier Depond, Director of Champagne Salon and Champagne Delamotte, is proud to announce that a bottle of Champagne Salon 1948 was presented to His Majesty, King Charles III, in tribute to his year of birth as a symbol of French savoir-faire. The British royal court has enjoyed close ties with the world of Champagne ever since Queen Victoria established the practice of serving it at ceremonies just under two centuries ago. Salon is a unique and rare champagne. Everything in this exceptional wine showcases singularity: originally the champagne of one man, Eugène-Aimé Salon; one single terroir, the Côte des Blancs; one single cru, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger; one single grape variety, Chardonnay; and one single year, it undergoes no blending. Staunchly uncompromising, Champagne Salon is produced only in outstanding years and each vintage boasts exceptional cellar ageing of no less than ten years.
Meticulously selected for their superior cellaring potential, Salon vintages account for a rare collection of 37 wines produced in the 20th century, a record unrivalled in the world’s viticultural history. Such is the precious legacy of Eugène-Aimé Salon, that aesthete and ardent lover of champagne, who created the very first Blanc de Blancs champagne in 1905 for the sole pleasure of himself and his friends. Champagne Salon is considered by connoisseurs the world over as an icon of the French viticultural heritage.
Salon, 1948 vintage
In 1948, the Champagne vineyards faced severely challenging weather conditions; flowering was disrupted and hail stripped part of the region of its harvests. Between the two highly lauded vintages of 1947 and 1949, the 1948 harvest’s reputation was saved thanks to the Côte des Blancs terroir where the Chardonnays were magnificent. Harvested starting on 20th September, the grapes from Mesnil-sur-Oger were healthy and promising. The wine did not break faith with its origins: the balance of high sugar and the level of acidity proved to be remarkable, a sign of exceptional maturing potential. A monumental vintage was born at Salon. Weathering the test of time, this wine continues to fascinate leading experts.
This bottle of Champagne Salon 1948 was
specially disgorged on 1st September 2023 for
His Majesty King Charles III.
photo by Leif Carlsson
