Moët et Chandon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Moët & Chandon | |
 |
|
| Region | Epernay |
|---|---|
| Appellation | Champagne (wine region) |
| Cases per year (12 x 750 mL)
|
2,000,000 |
| Grape varieties | Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier |
| Website | http://www.moet.com |
Moët & Chandon (pronounced [moɛt‿e ʃɑ̃ˈdɔ̃]) is one of the world's largest manufacturers of champagne and one of the best known champagne houses in the world. Founded in 1743, the house now owns over 1,500 acres (6 km²) of vineyards and annually produces over 2,000,000 cases of champagne. In 1962 it became the first champagne house to be listed on the French stockmarket.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
The company dates to 1743 when Claude Moët began shipping his product from the Champagne region of France to Paris. The reign of Louis XV coincided with an increased demand for sparkling wine. Moët expanded rapidly and by the end of the eighteenth century was exporting the drink all over Europe and to the United States. Claude's grandson Jean-Rémy Moët took the house to international prominence catering to such elite clientele as Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon Bonaparte. Chandon was added to the company name when Jean-Rémy Moët turned over half the company to his son-in-law Pierre-Gabriel Chandon de Briailles in 1832, and half to his son Victor Moët.
Following the introduction of the concept of a vintage champagne in 1840, Moët marketed its first vintage in 1842. Their best-selling brand, Brut Imperial was introduced in the 1860s. Their best known label, Dom Perignon, is named for the Benedictine monk remembered in legend as the "Father of Champagne". Moët & Chandon merged with Hennessy Cognac in 1971 and with Louis Vuitton in 1987 to become LVMH (Louis-Vuitton-Moët-Hennessy), the largest luxury group in the world, netting over 16 billion euros in fiscal 2004. Moët & Chandon holds a Royal Warrant as supplier of champagne to Queen Elizabeth II.[2]
In 2006, Moët et Chandon Brut Impérial issued an extremely limited bottling of its champagne named "Be Fabulous", a special release of its original bottle with decorative Swarovski crystals, marking the elegance of Moët et Chandon.
[edit] Domaine Chandon
In 1973, the then Moët-Hennessy company founded Domaine Chandon, an outpost winery in the Los Carnaros region of Napa Valley. It was the first French-owned sparkling wine venture in the United States. The restaurant Etoile is situated at the winery.
Domaine Chandon in Australia was established in 1986 at Green Point, Victoria.
Chandon has been producing champagne in Argentina since the late 60's.
[edit] Pronunciation
Various pronunciations of Moët exist, including 'Mo-way', 'Mow-ee' and 'Mow-ett'.[3] However, according to any French dictionary it is pronounced without a "t", with the exception of it being following by a vowel. i.e. in Moët et Chandon it is pronounced 'Mo-wett'.
The "French pronunciation" argument above, whilst often used, is a distraction from the real reason that 'Mo-wett' is the correct pronunciation. Claude Moët founded the champagne house in 1743. He, although French, had a Dutch name, and therefore the hard "t" is pronounced.
[edit] References
- ^ K. Gargett, P. Forrestal, & C. Fallis The Encyclopedic Atlas of Wine pg 166 Global Book Publishing 2004 ISBN 1740480503
- ^ The Royal Warrant Holders Association
- ^ Enting, Carolyn (2002), “Moët for Linguists”, Lucire Living Magazine, <http://www.lucire.com/2002/0530ll0.shtml>
