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Moët et Chandon is the leading brand and manufacturer of champagne.
The company dates back to 1743 when Claude Moët began shipping wines from the Champagne region of France to Paris. The reign of Louis XV coincides with a 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-Remy Moët brought 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-Remy Moët turned over half the company to his son Victor, and half to his son-in-law Pierre-Gabriel Chandon de Briailles in 1832. 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. Of course their best known label is Dom Perignon, named for the Benedictine monk fondly remembered in legend as the "Father of Champagne". "Moët et Chandon" merged with Hennessy Cognac in 1971 and with Louis Vuitton in 1987 to become LVMH-Moët Hennessey Louis Vuitton the largest luxury group in the world, netting over 16 billion euros in fiscal 2004.
"Moët et Chandon" says that at least one bottle of its champagne is popped open somewhere in the world every second, making it the largest producer of champagne in the world.
The song "Killer Queen," from the British band Queen album Sheer Heart Attack, refers to Moët and Chandon in its opening lines: "She keeps Moët and Chandon in a pretty cabinet...."
External links
- Official site (http://www.moet.com)