Inspiration for pairingchampagne and food
Benoît Gouez, Cellar Master at Moët & Chandon and Jean-Michel Bardet, Executive Chef at Moët & Chandon,
have developed their approach to food and champagne pairing over a number of years.
Their aim is to create remarkable gastronomic experiences based on six principles.
GRAND VINTAGE
GRAND VINTAGE COLLECTION 2000
The mature, opulent Grand Vintage Collection 2000 demands equally complex textures such as, for example, a firm fish that melts on the palate complemented with crusted white root vegetables. The champagne’s assertive bouquet calls for intense and fruity touches such as apricot, fig, clementine, or roasted sesame. Contrast with a light touch of jasmine, grapefruit, sweet spices, white pepper, or vegetal lightness for an overall pairing of paradoxical surprise.
GRAND VINTAGE COLLECTION 2009
Grand Vintage Collection 2009 is fitting for a “surf and turf” combination of Iberico ham and calamari, for example, to bring forth both the profoundness and salinity of the wine. With its charismatic core, avoid very light textures and freshness. Umami from cooked mushrooms and soft spiciness such as from nutmeg or tasted notes of grilled seeds will directly evoke Grand Vintage Collection 2009’s unique bouquet. Tertiary aromas call for grilled, torched, braised, or roasted dishes, while contrasts with a resin, or a green vegetal note uplift for a resonant pairing overall.
GRAND VINTAGE ROSÉ 2016
Grand Vintage Rose 2016 lends itself to game; also, similarly textured lobster might uplift the mineral aspects of the champagne. Compliments should feature floral flavors such as pink berries and a hint of citrus freshness. Contrast could be added with fragrant spices. Bitterness, milky flavors as well as green and fibrous textures are unsuited to this pairing, which should maintain in its ensemble a silky lightness and touch of pink in presentation and palate.
Grand Vintage 2016
Textures best suited to a Grand Vintage 2016 champagne are tender and melting game, meat, or fish served with short juices. The equally tender effect of a fennel confit, for example, adds a light neutrality to allow the champagne its fullest expression. Tastes of earthiness and heavier sweetness, such as root vegetables, are best avoided. Seasoning with a touch of aniseed directly calls forth this same, long-lasting base note on the champagne’s palate, uplifted by white fruits and florals.
Grand Vintage 2015
The 76th Moët & Chandon vintage, Grand Vintage 2015, calls to mind an awakening, the first bright rays of a day full of promise, with a subtle and tender bouquet and a direct and enveloping palate marked by a floral freshness.
GRAND VINTAGE ROSÉ 2015
Moët & Chandon's 45th rosé vintage, Grand Vintage Rosé 2015, presents delightful aromas of sun-ripened dark fruits and flowering garrigue, while its gourmet palate is powerful and spicy.
Grand Vintage 2013
The 75th Grand Vintage in the House’s history, tells the story of the year 2013. The season is in its flavors and aromas, a maturity expressed through autumnal notes and reflected in its golden hue and persistent bubbles.
Grand Vintage Rosé 2013
The 44th vintage rosé in the House’s history, the Grand Vintage Rosé 2013 has a truly unique character. The season is in its flavors and aromas, with a generous nose, spicy fruitiness, and a chiseled mouthfeel expressed through autumnal notes.
Grand Vintage 2012
2012 was an unprecedented year. Frosts, torrential rain, hail, drought... Just a month before the harvest, the outlook was bleak. But a month later, we were announcing one of Champagne’s finest vintages! This extraordinary harvest inspired Benoît Gouez to create a gentle, fresh and harmonious Grand Vintage 2012 champagne that would echo the easy transition from spring into summer.
Grand Vintage Rosé 2012
Grand Vintage Rosé 2012 champagne comes from a year that saw relatively low yields. The grapes, remarkable for both their sugar content and their acidity, are similar to those that picked in 2002, 1989 and 1966, all wonderful years for ageing. Fresh and delicate, the 43rd Moët & Chandon rosé vintage celebrates the mildness of spring and the blossoming of summer.
Grand Vintage 2009
The wonderful 2009 vintage gave rise to a magnificent champagne. Benoît Gouez decided to showcase Pinot Noir, whose controlled power forms the backbone of the wine and provides its roundness. The result is a complex and beautifully crafted wine with a silky texture. The perfect champagne to serve with dinner.
Grand vintage Rosé 2009
The wonderful 2009 vintage gave rise to a magnificent champagne. Benoît Gouez decided to showcase Pinot Noir, whose controlled power forms the backbone of the wine and provides its roundness. The result is a complex and beautifully crafted wine with a silky texture. The perfect champagne to serve with dinner.
Grand Vintage Collection 2006
Each Grand Vintage is unique, expressing the Moët & Chandon Cellar Master's personal interpretation of the year...
Grand Vintage Collection 2002
2002 was one of the greatest vintages in Champagne history. The harvested grapes, of a complexity that had not been observed since 1990, prompted Benoît Gouez to produce a Grand Vintage 2002 champagne featuring Chardonnay front and center, to combine freshness with opulence. Benefiting from a long maturation period in contact with its yeasts, this exceptional champagne expresses all its richness and complexity while keeping its energy completely intact.
Grand Vintage Collection 1999
Each Grand Vintage is unique, expressing the Moët & Chandon Cellar Master's personal interpretation of the year...
IMPÉRIAL
Nectar Impérial
Nectar Impérial champagne develops into a voluptuous sensation on the palate, a combination of creaminess and dynamism. The rich and lively experience offers a new take on the concept of demi-sec, the original champagne. Its dosage brings a sumptuous sweetness which makes it the perfect partner for both sweet and savory foods, as well as fruity desserts or other dishes with powerful flavours.
Nectar Impérial Rosé
Nectar Impérial Rosé champagne is a voluptuous and delicious expression of the Moët & Chandon style. Its flamboyant colour, intense fruit and wonderful freshness on the finish bring with them outstanding appeal. Its sensual richness works beautifully with sweet-spicy pairings.
Ice Impérial
A true first, this champagne is designed to be enjoyed over ice! With a serving recommendation that breaks with established convention, a new champagne tasting experience is created that takes freshness to the extreme. Ice Impérial champagne lends itself to surprising pairings and is the perfect addition for impromptu celebrations.
Ice Impérial Rosé
Rosé champagne served over ice, this is the ideal summer terrace pairing. Its colour is evocative of the sky at sunset; a golden pink glow across the horizon. Tasty aromas of juicy fruit, fig, pomegranate and pink grapefruit mingle joyfully together.
Moët Impérial
Imperial, just like the long-standing bond between Moët & Chandon and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, who visited the cellars in 1807. Since then, Moët Impérial champagne has become one of the main ambassadors for champagne all over the world.
Rosé Impérial
Moët Rosé Impérial champagne is spontaneous and radiant, which is part a long Champagne tradition dating back to the seventeenth century. It is known for its vibrant colour, fruity notes and expressive flavours. A blend of red and white wines, it is the unexpectedly perfect pairing to red meat, spicy dishes and summer vegetables.