Moët launches Champagne from ‘exceptional year’

Moët & Chandon has launched its Grand Vintage Blanc and Rosé from the 2009 harvest, which chef de cave Benoît Gouez describes as “an exceptional year” in Champagne.

Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2009 is a blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay and 14% Meunier

Commenting on the excellence of the harvest, Gouez said that the real surprise was the quality of the Pinot Noir, and, as a result, as much as 50% of the blend is made with this single red grape, the highest proportion since Moët’s 1996 vintage release.

Speaking about the Pinot Noir specifically, he said, “Its controlled power is the very backbone of Grand Vintage 2009.”

The 2009 vintage began with one of the coldest winters in 15 years. Although there was no frost in spring, it was a particularly rainy season with several severe storms.

However, by mid-July consistently hot, dry and sunny weather arrived, allowing the sugars and aromas to develop in the fruit.

“The result was generous grapes,” commented Gouez.

“The combination of an ideal climate and a moderate yield created conditions for a high degree of ripeness both in terms of sugar and acidity, with neither in excess,” he added.

Gouez describes each Grand Vintage Cuvée as ‘Vintage by Moët & Chandon’ and his personal expression of a particular year.

“If our Impérial is about consistency, then Grand Vintage is about individuality,” he said.

“I always use all three grape varieties, but there is no set assemblage.”

Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2009 is a blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay and 14% Meunier.

The Grand Vintage Rosé 2009 is an assemblage of 59% Pinot Noir (of which 19% is red wine), 30% Chardonnay and 11% Meunier.

As has been the case since 2002, the dosage for both is just 5g/l and the wine has spent seven years in the house’s cellars, and a minimum of six months after disgorgement, before release.

Gouez describes the Blanc as having “an accomplished, enveloping power – one that is full-bodied and smooth and has a silky texture.”

He says the Rosé is “warm and joyous with notes of nutmeg, dried fig and black cherry with a light, gentle texture and finish.”

Both cuvées are now available to the off- and on-trade from Moët Hennessy, with Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2009 having an RRP of £47 and Grand Vintage Rosé an RRP of £60.

The blanc and rosé 2009 launches represent the 73^rd and 42^nd releases in the house’s vintage history respectively.