The French champagne brand Dom Perignon is named after a Benedictine monk who was often credited with developing the champagne method. Unfortunately, this is just a myth, as the method was developed gradually nearly a hundred years after Dom Perignon’s (Dom Perignon) death. However, the wine world owes the monk other valuable discoveries and inventions.

Dom Perignon lived and worked at the Abbey of Hautvillers as the cellar master. Believing that hard work and effort brought one closer to God, he set out to create the best wine in the world. He became a true pioneer. In 1670, he was the first to blend juices from different grapes to create a wine with a balanced taste. He also developed a method to press white wine from dark grapes, was the first to use cork instead of wooden stoppers, and began bottling sparkling wine in thicker glass bottles that wouldn’t explode under gas pressure.

Dom Perignon’s success story began in 1935 when 300 bottles of 1926 vintage champagne were sent to England to the alcohol trader Simon Bros. & Co. The company wanted to remember its 150 gold clients by gifting each two bottles of champagne. This champagne quickly became very popular, and the recipients demanded more. A year later, one hundred cases of 1921 vintage champagne, now called Dom Perignon, were sent to New York. All of these specially ordered cases ended up with billionaire James Duke, who purchased them for personal use.

Dom Perignon was the official champagne at the 1981 wedding of Diana Spencer and Prince Charles. The vintage chosen was the bride’s birth year, 1961, and the champagne was decorated with special symbols created for this occasion. Ninety-nine bottles were ordered for the wedding.

Dom Perignon is a seasonal champagne produced according to the decision of the winemaker. The producer has not revealed how many bottles are made each year, but it is estimated to be at least five million. The current cellar master, Vincent Chaperon (Vincent Chaperon), produces vintage champagnes only from wines aged over 20 years. The winemaker and Dom Perignon cellar masters continuously taste the wines to monitor their development and determine the optimal time for disgorging. According to regulations, no more than six vintage wines may be produced in one decade.

Dom Perignon is always based on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, perfectly refined, so the taste can vary each year. Each Dom Perignon bottle is kept in the cellar for at least eight years to achieve perfect balance and harmony. Dom Perignon vintage wines are usually released three times – after the champagne has matured for 8 years, 18 years, and 25 years.