Dom Pérignon
Dom Pérignon, a monk who wanted to make the best wine in the world
Region: Hautvillers Abbey and its vineyards
Annual production: at least 5 million bottles per year
Size: area under vines of approx. 340 km2
Grapes: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir - exclusively vintage champagne
In 1668, the young monk Pierre Pérignon took up a position as cellar master at the Abbaye d'Hautvillers. The small monastery is located in the heart of Champagne, north of the famous town of Épernay. At that time, as everywhere in France, it was mainly monks who were responsible for cultivating the vines.
With the aim of producing "the best wine in the world", Pierre set to work. And the Abbaye's sparkling wines soon became famous not only for their great quality, but above all for the new, unique style that Pierre was instrumental in shaping.
Today, it is certain that Pierre Pérignon is not the inventor of champagne. However, he perfected numerous steps in the process. For example, he refined the second fermentation in the bottle and the art of blending wines from different vineyards and grape varieties. He also further developed the production of white wines from red grape varieties.
The wines of the Abbaye eventually became so famous that they were even enjoyed at the French royal court of Louis XIV. From this point onwards at the latest, the sparkling wine from Champagne became famous beyond the country's borders. When Pierre Pérignon died in 1715, he had truly revolutionized the art of champagne. His work would continue to shape the production of wines from the north-east of France to this day.