Jean-Remy Moët
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Jean-Remy Moët (1758 – 1841) was a French vintner and wine merchant who helped bring the Champagne house of Moët et Chandon to international prominence. He inherited the house from his grandfather and founder Claude Moët. [1]
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[edit] Friendship with Napoleon
Jean-Remy Moët first met Napoleon Bonaparte in 1782 at the military academy of Brienne-le-Château when Moët was solicitating orders for his family champagne firm. The two kept in touch and developed an enduring friendship that would last both their lifetimes. During his military campaigns, Napoleon would always make it an objective to swing by the Moët estate at Épernay to pick up some cases of champagne. The lone exception was when Napoleon had to fore go his unusual stopping due to his rush to get to Waterloo. [2]
Napoleon's friendship and patronage greatly benefited the Moët house and to Napoleon's tribute, Jean-Remy Moët built a replica of Grand Trianon, complete with original work by their favorite Jean-Baptiste Isabey, on his property for Napoleon and Empress Josephine to stay when they visit. [2]
On March 14th, 1814, just a few weeks before Paris was to fall to Sixth Coalition forces, Napoleon stayed at his friend's estate and awarded him the Légion d'honneur cross for his distinguish service to France in increasing its worldwide reputation for wine. [3]
[edit] After the fall of Napoleon
Following Napoleon's abdication, the region of Champagne was occupied by Russian soldiers of the Sixth Coalition. In retaliation for Napoleon's earlier conquest, the Champenois were subjected to large fines and ordered to pay requisitions. Most of Champagne's cellars were plundered with Jean-Remy Moët's being particularly hard hit with more then 600,000 bottles being emptied by the Russian encampment. Instead of resisting, Moët told his friends "All of those soldiers who are ruining me today will make my fortune tomorrow. I'm letting them drink all they want. They will be hooked for life and become my best salesmen when they go back to their own country."[4]
Moët's words were prophetic as in the ensuing years, the House of Moët saw a boom in sales and prestige with clients from around the world visiting their cellars and making purchases including the former Napoleonic foes Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, Frederick William III of Prussia, William II of the Netherlands, Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor and Csar Alexander I of Russia.[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ D. & P. Kladstrup Champagne pg 61 Harper Collins Publisher ISBN 0060737921
- ^ a b D. & P. Kladstrup Champagne pg 65 Harper Collins Publisher ISBN 0060737921
- ^ D. & P. Kladstrup Champagne pg 67 Harper Collins Publisher ISBN 0060737921
- ^ a b D. & P. Kladstrup Champagne pg 68 Harper Collins Publisher ISBN 0060737921
