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As legend
has
it,
the
Benedictine
Monk,
Dom
Periginon
invented
Champagne.
That
is not
the
whole
story.
A few
facts
first.
Champagne
is 3
different
things;
First,
it is
a sparkling
wine
made
in France.
Second,
It is
a geographic
area
in France
about
1 hour
from
Paris,
and
the
only
area
where
Champagne,
the
wine,
can
be produced.
Finally
it is
a name
associated
with
large
deposits
of limestone
(chalk)
in the
earth.
This
deposit
is present
in the
Champagne
region,
but
is also
found
in Cognac.
The
Cognac
region
has
an area
referred
to as
Fine
Champagne.
These
Cognacs
are
not
made
with
Champagne
(the
drink),
but
the
grapes
used
in production
comes
from
an area
which
also
has
a large
Limestone
layer.
The
first
commercial
sparkling
wine
was
produced
in
the
Limoux
area
of
France
about
1535.
They
did
not
invent
sparkling
wine,
no-one
knows
who
first
made
it.
Dom
Perignon,
the
man,
was
born
about
1638.
His
full
name
was
Pierre
Perignon.
He
was
a
Benedictine
Monk
at
the
Abbey
of
Hautville
near
Riems
in
France.
Wine
was
already
being
made
in
the
Champagne
region
before
Pierre
was
born.
Dom
Perignon's
legacy
to
the
world
was
a
procedure
for
production
of
Champagne.
This
included
riddling
the
ageing
bottles
so
the
sediment
can
be
removed,
adding
a
dosage
for
a
secondary
fermentation,
and
use
of
corks
to
seal
the
bottles.
These
steps
combined
with
the
availabilty
of
stronger
bottles
which
could
hold
the
added
pressure,
allowed
the
commercial
production
of
Champagne
to
begin
in
about
1700.
Dom
Perignon
died
in
1716.
His
famous
statement
"I
see
stars"
was
uttered
upon
his
first
taste
of
Champagne.
Dom
Perignon,
the
Champagne,
was
first
produced
in
1936.
Moet
et
Chandon
which
purchased
the
Abbey
of
Hautville
120
years
earlier
produced
a
super
cuvee
which
celebrated
the
Monk's
exploits.
The
Champagne
is
only
produced
in
exceptional
vintages;
in
2
styles,
the
Brut
and
the
Brut
Rose
and
in
2
sizes,
750ml
bottle
and
1.5Liter
bottle.
The
name
has
become
synonomous
with
class
and
stature.
A
gift
of
Dom
Perignon
will
express
that
only
the
best
will
due.
Moet
&
Chandon
Dom
Perignon
Vintage
Brut
Rose
Fascinating.
Mature
notes
of
mushroom,
corrupt
cherry
and
forest
undergrowth
evoke
an
aged
red
Burgundy.
Firm
and
medium-bodied,
yet
softening
and
with
little
effervescence,
it
fades
by
the
finish,
but
the
bouquet
alone
is
worth
the
price
of
admission.
Dom
Perignon
Champagne
Vintage
Cuvee
Brut
An
intensely
flavored
champagne
displaying
tropical
fruit,
berries
and
citrus
aromas
and
flavors
enmeshed
in
finely
woven
texture,
ending
with
an
aftertaste
of
dried
fruit.
Good,
firm
texture
lends
support.
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