Since its inception in 1743, Moët & Chandon has carried forward unparalleled winemaking expertise, embodying an unwavering spirit of innovation across generations. Transforming from a familial enterprise to a globally acclaimed champagne icon, its effervescent legacy resonates with every pop.
Having been established in 1743, Moët & Chandon has upheld exceptional winemaking expertise through generations, embodying an innovative, pioneering spirit. This has propelled the brand to international acclaim, transforming a family enterprise into a global emblem of success.
It's often said that every six seconds, someone across the world pops open a bottle of Moët & Chandon. Undeniably, inseparable from celebratory moments, the champagne from this French producer holds a particularly esteemed position.
Moët & Chandon has been lauded for its expertise in innovating new ways to celebrate success with champagne. The Maison birthed the first symbolic gestures linked to this effervescent beverage, such as christening a new ship by breaking a bottle. From champagne cascades marking victories on motor racing circuits to impressive pyramids of flutes seen globally, these iconic symbols trace back to Moët & Chandon. Presently, the Moët & Chandon mini-flute and bottles embellished with Swarovski crystals have become indispensable at festive gatherings.
Claude Moët, the founder in 1743, was the first to epitomise this spirit, elevating a prestigious regional wine into a sought-after, cherished drink. His grandson, Jean-Rémy Moët, who assumed control of the business in 1792, spearheaded the brand's expansion beyond Europe, swiftly establishing Moët & Chandon as a worldwide symbol of celebration.
The vineyard sprawls across an impressive 1,190 hectares of fertile limestone soil, with 50% classified as Grand Cru and 25% as Premier Cru, marking it as the largest vineyard in the Champagne region. Underground, Moët & Chandon's cellars stand as the region's largest, stretching over 28 kilometres, forming a labyrinthine network where the wine matures and evolves under optimal conditions of temperature and humidity.
A HERITAGE-RICH HOUSE
Did you know that Moët Imperial, the House’s iconic champagne, owes its name to Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte? Napoleon frequently visited the Moët & Chandon estates in Épernay, bestowing Jean-Rémy Moët with France’s highest honour, the Légion d’Honneur. Legend has it that Napoleon and his troops initiated the tradition of sabering Moët champagne bottles to celebrate victories.
“Champagne! In victory one deserves it; in defeat one needs it,” declared Napoleon.
Épernay’s strategic location on the eastern route linking Paris to major German, Austro-Hungarian, and Russian cities undoubtedly played a pivotal role in the company’s commercial triumph. However, Jean-Rémy Moët's exceptional strategic insight and commercial acumen were equally significant. Historical records unveil Napoleon Bonaparte's initial order on 27 Thermidor An 9 (August 15, 1801), followed by a second order in 1803. Upon Napoleon's ascent to Emperor in 1804, the records note "9 shipments to the Emperor and his family". Thus, Napoleon remained a faithful and regular Moët customer, even beyond his exile.
The connection between France's grand history and champagne's humble origins once led Talleyrand to remark, "My dear Monsieur Jean-Rémy Moët, you are destined for the future. I declare that, thanks to this glass and its contents, your name will froth longer and better than ours."
MOËT & CHANDON GRAND DAY AND EFFERVESCENCE EVENINGS
To celebrate champagne, conviviality, and the joy of life, Moët & Chandon organises annual events, bringing together a multitude of celebrities. These include the "Grand Day" and "Effervescence" evenings, held during the festive season across approximately twenty cities worldwide, including London, Paris, Mexico City, Johannesburg, Moscow, Hong Kong, Stockholm, Antwerp, Amsterdam, and Singapore. These global celebrations invite friends of the Champagne House to relive Moët's "savoir-fête".
During Grand Day 2019, Moët & Chandon invited friends and guests to raise their glasses in a global toast commemorating the 150th anniversary of Moët Impérial, a global icon of celebration since 1869. This annual tradition, initiated in 2016, continues to honour this legacy with a festive program comprising a series of events dedicated to celebrating Moët Impérial. The Brut Impérial cuvée comprises a blend aged for over 22 months, granting it a creamier texture and warmer aromas, notably of pear and candied yellow fruit, compared to previous iterations. A hint of bitterness at the finish pleasantly titillates the palate, maintaining the equilibrium that characterises this champagne, less conventional than in the past. Achieving this for the world’s most widely produced and marketed cuvée is indeed remarkable.
The "Effervescence" evenings feature a golden ambiance and a range of festive events, including retail experiences in the host cities. Moreover, these celebrations promote raising a glass for a charitable cause through their "Toast For A Cause" programme, where all proceeds are donated to charity. In 2022, Moët continued its collaboration with The Sapphire Project for the second consecutive year.
More recently, towards the end of 2022, on the occasion of Moët & Chandon’s 280th anniversary, the "Effervescence" evening took place at the Palais Brongniart in Paris. The guest list included celebrities such as Jessica Chastain, Emily Ratajkowski, Sienna Miller, and Michaela Coel. True to its festive spirit, the Maison also welcomed Belgian singer Angèle, disco icon Gloria Gaynor, and DJ Kungs. Celebrities including Roger Federer, Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, and Naomi Harris also accepted the invitation to savour Chef Yannick Alleno’s culinary creations, paired with Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2004.
"The festive season is a significant and meaningful time for our House – a period for celebration, sharing with loved ones, and generosity. We are privileged to bring the values of the world’s most loved champagne to iconic cities," remarked Berta de Pablos-Barbier, President & CEO of Moët & Chandon.
MOËT & CHANDON X DANIEL ARSHAM
To mark its 280th anniversary, Moët & Chandon introduced a brand-new cuvée and collaborated with contemporary artist Daniel Arsham to create an artwork and a collection of bottles inspired by the champagne house’s heritage.
Titled “Collection Impériale Création No. 1”, Moët & Chandon’s new creation encapsulates the House’s concept of “haute œnologie”. Complexity, elegance, and preciousness define this champagne, based on a blend of three grape varieties from seven different vintages. Each grape is meticulously selected and matured in specific environments to accentuate its unique qualities.
Renowned for his sculptures blending urban art and antique style, Daniel Arsham drew inspiration from Moët & Chandon’s heritage for this collaboration. He chose to celebrate the stained-glass windows crafted by glass painter Félix Gaudin, which have adorned the Maison’s cellar in Épernay since the late 1890s. His three-metre-long sculptural work will be permanently displayed in Moët & Chandon’s Galerie Impériale, adjacent to the original stained-glass window.
Simultaneously, the artist has designed 85 limited-edition bottles. These bottles, crafted in 3D and entirely enveloped in white, elegantly evoke the design of stained glass windows while subtly integrating references to Château de Saran, owned by Moët & Chandon since 1801.
"We created the Collection Impériale Création No. 1, launched for our 280th anniversary, by envisioning a champagne designed for eternity: it's our special relationship with time to grow, select, and age champagne that makes Daniel Arsham’s choice so relevant. Daniel’s unique approach to Moët & Chandon’s heritage beautifully captures the essence of our history and our craft," expressed Benoît Gouez, the house’s cellar master in a press release.