The History of Dom Pérignon: The Champagne of Excellence
The brand Dom Pérignon is one of the most iconic in the world of champagne, synonymous with luxury, quality, and refinement. Named in honor of the Benedictine monk Dom Pierre Pérignon, this champagne house has managed to maintain an unparalleled level of excellence throughout the centuries.
The Origins: Dom Pierre Pérignon
Dom Pierre Pérignon, who died in 1715, is often considered one of the pioneers of modern champagne. This monk of the abbey of Hautvillers, near Épernay, devoted his life to improving winemaking techniques. Although he is not the inventor of champagne, he brought crucial innovations such as the blending of different grape varieties to create more balanced wines and the technique of the second fermentation in the bottle, essential for the production of champagne.
The Birth of the Dom Pérignon Cuvée
The first Dom Pérignon cuvée was made with a wine from 1921, marketed from 1935 thanks to an idea from Laurence Venn. The 1921 vintage is often considered one of the best of all time for champagne. The first beneficiaries of this cuvée were 150 customers of the house "Simon Bros & Co", the British importer of Moët, for whom 300 bottles were delivered. The exceptional quality of this vintage quickly attracted attention and orders poured in, notably from James Buchanan Duke, the founder of the American Tobacco Company, who ordered 100 bottles for himself.
The Chefs de Cave of Dom Pérignon
Over the years, Dom Pérignon has had several renowned chefs de cave who have each brought their personal touch to the brand. Among them, Richard Geoffroy played a key role as chef de cave from 1990 to 2018. He was replaced by Vincent Chaperon in 2019, who continues to perpetuate the legacy of Dom Pérignon while exploring new perspectives for each vintage. Their expertise and dedication ensure that every bottle of Dom Pérignon is a masterpiece of elegance and complexity.
The Owners of Dom Pérignon
The house of Dom Pérignon is part of the group Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), one of the largest luxury groups in the world. LVMH owns several other prestigious champagne houses, and this heritage of luxury and exclusivity is deeply rooted in the philosophy of Dom Pérignon. Each bottle reflects the history and know-how transmitted through the generations.
The Vintages and Their History
Dom Pérignon is a champagne always made from a single vintage, produced only in exceptional years from grapes harvested in the same year. Since 1921, only 46 years have been made into vintages, among which the most remarkable are 1921, 1928, 1947, 1959, 1961, 1970, 1982, 1990, 1996, 2002, 2008, and 2010. These vintages are produced after long periods of aging in the cellar, often more than eight years, ensuring exceptional complexity and depth.
Dom Pérignon Vintages
| Year | Year | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1921 | 1953 | 1983 |
| 1926 | 1955 | 1985 |
| 1928 | 1959 | 1988 |
| 1929 | 1961 | 1990 |
| 1934 | 1962 | 1992 |
| 1943 | 1964 | 1993 |
| 1947 | 1966 | 1995 |
| 1949 | 1969 | 1996 |
| 1952 | 1970 | 1998 |
| 1953 | 1971 | 1999 |
| 1955 | 1973 | 2000 |
| 1959 | 1975 | 2002 |
| 1961 | 1976 | 2003 |
| 1962 | 1978 | |
| 1964 | 1980 | 2005 |
| 1966 | 1982 | 2006 |
| 1969 | 1983 | 2008 |
| 1970 | 1985 | 2009 |
| 1971 | 1988 | |
| 1973 | 1990 | |
| 1975 | 1992 | |
| 1976 | 1993 | |
| 1978 | 1995 | |
| 1980 | 1996 |
Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintages
| Year | Year | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1959 | 1985 | 1998 |
| 1962 | 1986 | 2000 |
| 1964 | 1988 | 2002 |
| 1966 | 1990 | 2005 |
| 1969 | 1992 | 2006 |
| 1971 | 1993 | 2008 |
| 1973 | 1995 | |
| 1975 | 1996 | |
| 1978 | 1998 | |
| 1980 | 2000 | |
| 1982 | 2002 |
Anecdotes and Memorable Moments
Dom Pérignon has marked history not only by the quality of its champagnes but also by memorable moments and savory anecdotes:
- In the film James Bond 007 contre Dr. No, James Bond nearly breaks a bottle of Dom Pérignon to defend the young Honey. Dr. No points out the name and the vintage (1955) of the object. Bond regains his composure and gently sets the bottle back down, preferring the year 1953, in reference to the release of the first James Bond novel, Casino Royale.
- In the film Star Trek: Generations, a bottle of Dom Pérignon from the year 2265 is used to christen the starship Enterprise-B.
- In 1971, during the celebration of the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire, the first vintage of Dom Pérignon Rosé, the 1959, was served. A bottle of this cuvée was sold at auction for 24,758 € in 2008.
- Dom Pérignon was the champagne chosen for the wedding of Diana Spencer and Prince Charles in 1981. The magnums of Dom Pérignon 1961 vintage, specially marked for the event, made a sensation.
Records and Auctions
Dom Pérignon champagnes have often reached record prices at auctions:
- In 2004, three bottles of Dom Pérignon 1921 were sold for 24,675 $ at an auction at Sotheby's in New York.
- In 2010, a bottle of Dom Pérignon 1959 was sold for 27,600 $ at an auction in Hong Kong.
- In 2018, a case of Dom Pérignon Rosé 2002 was sold for 170,000 $ at an auction organized by Sotheby's in New York.
Each auction of Dom Pérignon testifies to the appeal and the timeless value of this exceptional champagne.
