LeDomduVin: Feel Good Wine!

Feel Good Wine! 

Bodegas Luis Cañas Rioja Reserva Selección de la Familia, Rioja Alavesa, Villabuena de Alava, Spain, 2019

Recently, I had a great time drinking this wine over some delicious tapas at the bar of @bayfaresocial restaurant, in Rosewood Hotel HK, with one of my coworkers. This juicy Rioja hit the spot as a perfect feel-good wine, making me feel in heaven for a moment! Great food, great wine! Just what I needed that day! 😋😋😋😋😋😁👍🍷

Bodegas Luis Cañas Rioja Reserva Selección de la Familia, Rioja Alavesa, Villabuena de Alava, Spain, 2019

Bodega Luis Cañas is a family-owned winery with over 200 years of history in viticulture and winemaking. It wasn't until 1970 that Luis Cañas launched its first bottled young wines, having previously sold exclusively in bulk. From then on, sales increased, and it gradually became one of the prominent wineries in Rioja Alavesa.

In 1989, a new chapter in the winery’s history began as Juan Luis Cañas, the sole son of Mr. Luis Cañas, took leadership. At 33 years old, he introduced innovative ideas and started creating new wines while also offering more aged Cuvées, setting the groundwork for what would eventually evolve into the modern winery.

This wine is one of the few Rioja wines that blends Cabernet Sauvignon with Tempranillo. In the early 1980s, Bodegas Luis Cañas received approval from the D.O.Ca. to plant this variety as an experiment, and it has remained part of the blend ever since. 

A blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2019 Rioja Reserva Selección de la Familia is an easy-going red wine aged for 20 months in 50% French oak and 50% American oak. In the glass, it displays a deep and dense purple hue. The nose offers ripe aromas of black fruits, mingling with earthy yet smooth notes of graphite, smoked tobacco, and chocolate, and oaky nuances. The palate is full-bodied, rich and suave, balanced and layered, with ripe and present yet well-integrated tannins, gently coating and expanding towards the long finish. Nicely done! Loved it!

 

*****

I posted this post on Facebook, and a Spanish producer I'm friends with (on FB) put a comment roughly saying: 

"There are many better wines (in Rioja) than this one, which is very industrial." 

To which I answered: 

"Of course, there are many better wines (in Rioja), but there, in this tapas bar, in Hong Kong, that's what they had by the glass, so I wasn't picky, and sure enough, with the tapas, it was super good and it went down very well. 😋😁👍"

To which I added: 

"That's what wine is all about, and you know it as well as I do: the place, the atmosphere, the company, the moment, the context, the food, etc., can transform a wine and make it better, right there, in the moment. 😁👍🍷"

To conclude: "Wine is all about the moment!" - Dom.

And that is exactly what this wine was! 

• Was it the best Rioja I have ever tasted? No, but it was definitely one of the nicest I've tasted recently, especially considering the price (a bottle costs about 20 euros retail). 

• Is it industrial, as that producer said, mass-produced? It isn't, but even if it were, so what? There are many wineries in Rioja producing a lot of bottles, and the wines are delicious. Quantity does not always mean lower quality. The same goes for Bordeaux, for example.  

• Was it great? Yes, as it was pretty juicy, rich, layered, balanced, with appealing aromas and flavors, good structure and texture, with integrated tannins, and a smooth, long finish. 

And at that moment, that day, it was all I needed to enjoy my tapas and have a pleasurable moment! I enjoyed it very much! So much so that my coworker and I both had another glass, as one wasn't enough! This wine made me feel good right then, and that's all that matters! 

Wine is all about the present moment, and fortunately, tasting is subjective, so there is something for everyone. There is no real point in downgrading a wine someone is enjoying simply because you don't like it yourself or don't find it good enough. Everyone's palate is different. 

And, of course, there will always be a "better, faster, stronger" wine out there that might be superior, but it doesn't matter. If you consider the wine you're drinking at that moment the best in the world (even if it isn't) and it makes you feel good, then, no matter what, it is the best wine in the world at that moment! And don't let anyone tell you otherwise! 

As my grandfather used to say: "Si tu n'aimes pas ça, n'en dégoûte pas les autres!" (which could awkwardly be translated as "If you don't like something, don't disgust others with it").    

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom

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LeDomduVin: Champagne Bollinger R.D. 2008. What a mesmerizing champagne!

Champagne Bollinger R.D. 2008

What a mesmerizing champagne!

The history of Champagne Bollinger starts with an unlikely partnership between a French aristocrat, an ambitious German wine merchant, and a passionate local cellar master.

In 1829, Athanase de Villermont, an aristocrat who inherited a vineyard estate in Aÿ but was barred by his noble status from engaging in commercial trade, teamed up with Joseph Bollinger, a German wine merchant who brought his knowledge of international markets, and Paul Renaudin, a local Champagne expert who managed the cellars and winemaking process, to establish the house of Renaudin-Bollinger & Cie, which later became known as Bollinger.

Joseph Bollinger's expertise in international sales and Renaudin's winemaking skills fuelled the company's success, with Bollinger Champagnes becoming highly sought after by European royalty.

The following decades saw the expansion of the estate and the vineyards.

In 1837, Joseph Bollinger married Louise-Charlotte, Athanase’s daughter. His sons, Joseph and later Georges, eventually took over the business. Under their leadership, Bollinger gained fame and significantly expanded its vineyards.

In 1863, Phylloxera was first recorded in France. This pest devastated most wine regions until the early 20th century. Georges Bollinger led the effort to replant vineyards with American rootstocks to combat the phylloxera pest.

In 1920, Jacques Bollinger, Georges’ son, took over managing the family business and is credited with increasing Bollinger’s sales in England, primarily through the popularity of their Special Cuvée Brut. Jacques's wife, Elisabeth Bollinger, better known as “Madame Jacques,” stepped in to run the business after her husband died during World War II.

In 1950, Claude d’Hautefeuille, the husband of Madame Bollinger's niece, whom she had mentored in the company's operations, became Director and initiated a broad modernization effort that honoured Bollinger’s heritage. Madame Bollinger named him Chairman in 1971, but she stayed actively involved until her passing six years afterward.

In 1978, Christian Bizot, Madame Bollinger’s nephew, succeeded Claude as head of the House. An avid traveler, he actively engaged with sommeliers, restaurant owners, and wine merchants to share and promote the House’s wines during his journeys.

In 1994, Ghislain de Montgolfier, the great-great-grandson of founder Joseph Bollinger, became head of the House. He continued to strive to increase quality, in part by limiting production.

In 2008, Jérôme Philipon, a native of Champagne, was appointed as the new Chairman. Unusually, for the first time in the House's history, someone outside the family took on this role.

In 2017, Jérôme Philipon was appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the family holding, and Charles-Armand de Belenet became General Manager of Champagne Bollinger. He is responsible for maintaining traditional craftsmanship while integrating the latest technologies.

Over the years, Bollinger has established its vineyards in the heart of the finest crus of Champagne. Champagne Bollinger’s 180 hectares of vines consist of 85% Grand and Premier crus, managed by their teams of growers across seven separate vineyards: Aÿ, Avenay, Tauxières, Louvois, and Verzenay for Pinot Noir; around the Montagne de Reims; Cuis for Chardonnay on the Côte des Blancs; and Champvoisy for Meunier in the Vallée de la Marne.

Another distinctive feature of Bollinger is the presence of two plots, Clos Saint-Jacques and Chaudes Terres, which have never been affected by phylloxera. These ungrafted vines are carefully maintained by hand and propagated through a layering method known as provignage. This approach helps preserve this remarkable heritage, which is used to produce the highly exclusive cuvée “Vieilles Vignes Françaises”.

The idea behind what would become “Bollinger R.D.” (which stands for “Récemment Dégorgé” in French, meaning "recently disgorged") was conceived in 1963. Madame Bollinger, along with her American agent, decided to sell a few bottles of “Réserve 1947”. 

Although they believed all their champagnes were of high quality and saw no need for a Special or Prestige cuvée, other Champagne houses had such offerings. Therefore, the goal was to compete with the “bouteilles spéciales” or “prestige cuvées” of other Champagne houses.

Madame Bollinger’s brilliant idea was to select an old vintage that was recently disgorged and dosed like an Extra Brut. The recent disgorgement ensures the wine's exceptional freshness and complexity.

In 1967, after some hesitation over the definitive name for the cuvée, Bollinger R.D. (Recently Disgorged) was finally chosen. Three vintages were released simultaneously: 1952 in the English market, 1953 in Switzerland and France, and 1955 in the United States and Italy. It was this vintage, followed by 1959, that established the cuvée's truly international reputation. And the rest is history!

Label of Champagne Bollinger R.D. 2008 (disgorged on October 28th, 2022) (*)

 

Champagne Bollinger R.D. 2008 Extra Brut (Disgorged December 9th, 2022) 

Bollinger R.D. Extra Brut 2008 is a beautiful vintage champagne with exceptional quality and complexity. It is a blend of 71% Pinot Noir and 29% Chardonnay, from a total of 18 crus, mostly Aÿ and Verzenay for Pinot Noir and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Cramant for Chardonnay. The fermentation occurred entirely in oak barrels. It was aged for about 14 years on its lees and released with a very low dosage at just 3 grams per litre (Extra Brut). The result is flamboyant, vibrant, flavorful, layered, rich, complex, ample, and structured, enhanced with great acidity, and developing brilliantly from the attack to the long, lingering finish. Loved it. 

This champagne is as mesmerizing as looking at the labels with these golden reflections, which I captured in the picture I've put as a header for this post. 

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom 

(*) NB: I could not find the label of the Cuvée disgorged on December 09, 2022, like in my picture. So, I put this one, disgorged on October 28th, 2022. Some larger formats, magnum and double-magnum, have been disgorged on November 17th, 2022. 

Sources: Info mostly taken and edited by and for www.ledomduvin.com courtesy of https://www.champagne-bollinger.com/en

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LeDomduVin: Nice lunch at LaLa Restaurant Parisien Hong Kong

Nice lunch at LaLa 

Restaurant Parisien Hong Kong 

Very nice lunch at LaLa Restaurant Parisien (@lala.hongkong) in great company with Daan (@daanbeirnaert1) with excellent food from Chef Frankelie Laloum (@franckelielaloum) and succulent wine pairing from Head Sommelier Chow Chester (@chowchester). 

Thank you for the lunch, guys. Nice experience! 

We drank a refreshing Gin Tonic made of Citadelle Gin (@citadellegin) with Fever Tree Tonic (@fevertreemixers) 

Followed by a few glasses of 

Michel Redde et Fils Pouilly Fumé "La Moynerie" 2022

(@domainemichelredde)

It was nice, refreshing, zesty, and focused, with great acidity, balance, and that soothing coating sensation from the minerality. I loved it. 

François Rousset-Martin Savagnin Perrieres (I forgot the vintage) 

(@francoisroussetmartin)

My colleague had it; I did not, but from what I could see in his glass, it had a lovely, slightly oxidated pale yellow color with copper reflects. And from my colleague's point of view, it was really nice—so nice that even Chef Frankelie Laloum recommended it with great praise.    

Château Guiraud Sauternes 2013 (served in magnum) with the cheeses

(@chateauguiraud)

Beautifully crafted, rich and complex, yet elegant, smooth, and gentle, it has an outstanding balance between acidity and sweetness and a lingering finish. I loved it.  

I did not take many pictures of the dishes, sorry. 😁👍🍷

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom 

NB: Thank you to Jameson (@jamesonchim) for the suggestion. 

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #wine #vin #vino #wein #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob #wineyearly #lovewine #wineinlife #lifeinwine #unplannedlunch

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2025, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Domaine Leflaive and Domaines Leflaive Macon-Verzé Burgundy 2021

Domaine Leflaive & 

Domaines Leflaive Macon-Verzé Burgundy 2021

Since the inception of the French departmental system in 1790, Burgundy has been referred to as the geographic area comprising the four departments of Yonne, Côte-d'Or, Nièvre, and Saône-et-Loire (see map above created with https://www.mapchart.net/ and edited by and for ©Ledomduvin 2025).

However, the wine region called Burgundy is slightly different. Wines are produced in the Yonne department for Chablis (Auxerrois) and along a roughly 200 km corridor (following the highway A6) crossing three departments (from North to South): Côte-d'Or, Saône-et-Loire, and Rhône.

Yet, most Burgundy maps mainly show the regions of Côte-d'Or and Saône-et-Loire, reducing the Burgundy stretch to only about 125 km, starting south of Dijon and ending south of Macon (often excluding Beaujolais and Chablis).    

Although the Chablis and Beaujolais regions are also part of Burgundy, respectively located in the Yonne and Rhône departments, they are often left off most Burgundy maps, mostly appearing in the corner or on a separate map entirely (see above - Map of Burgundy - Courtesy of www.bourgogne-wines.com).   

 

Within each of these departments, the wine areas are divided into several regions, subdivided into several appellation levels (based on quality and rank), and arranged in a pyramid, starting with the most generic, AOC regional, at the bottom and ascending to AOC communes/villages or appellations, AOC 1er Cru and AOC Grand Cru (see the pyramid above).

I created the "BURGUNDY AOC Hierarchy Table with Leading APPELLATIONS" above because I could not find a table that included the main Burgundy AOC. Numbers may differ depending on the sources. (*)   

However, enough is said about Burgundy's many AOCs; let's focus on the one of interest for today's post: Puligny-Montrachet. 

Map of Puligny-Montrachet - Courtesy of www.bourgogne-wines.com

Located in the Cote d'Or department, Puligny-Montrachet is a small village at the heart of the Côte de Beaune, between Meursault to the north and Chassagne-Montrachet to the south. Domaine Leflaive is the jewel of the appellation, renowned for producing some of the finest whites of Burgundy.

The village of Puligny-Montrachet produces wines under 3 levels of AOC:

- Village (both white and red, even if the red only accounts for less than 1% of the total production),

- Premier Cru (white only)

- Grand Cru (white only)

NB: Other reds from defined areas within the boundaries of Puligny-Montrachet are usually sold under the appellation "Côte de Beaune Villages."

Puligny-Montrachet possesses 17 climats classified as "Premier Cru" and shares 2 "Grand Cru" with Chassagne-Montrachet.

17 Premier Cru

Champ Canet, Champ Gain, Clavaillon, Clos de la Garenne, Clos de la Mouchère, Hameau de Blagny, La Garenne, La Truffière, Le Cailleret, Les Chalumaux, Les Combettes, Les Demoiselles, Les Folatières, Les Perrières, Les Pucelles, Les Referts and Sous le Puits

4 Grands Crus

Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet (shared with Chassagne-Montrachet)

Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet and Chevalier-Montrachet (situated entirely within Puligny-Montrachet)

Some may also think of a fifth one, Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet, but it is located entirely within Chassagne-Montrachet.

Domaine Leflaive

The Leflaive family's roots date back to 1717 when Claude Leflaive settled in Puligny-Montrachet. The following generations worked as Tonneliers (Cooper) and owned several hectares of vines whose grapes were sold. Joseph Leflaive (1870-1953) created the Domaine, and his son Vincent Leflaive further developed it.

Vincent's daughter, Anne-Claude Leflaive, a winemaker and pioneer in biodynamic viticulture, succeeded her father in 1990 and began overseeing Domaine Leflaive's day-to-day operations. Under her leadership, the Domaine underwent a renaissance, drastically improving the quality of the wines.

After Anne-Claude Leflaive's untimely death in April 2015, the estate is now managed by Brice de la Morandiere, Anne-Claude's nephew and Joseph's great-grandson. Winemaking is under the control of Eric Remy.

The Domaine is a leading producer of biodynamic practices and the flagship of the appellation. It covers approximately 24 hectares in Puligny-Montrachet and features Grands Crus and Premiers Crus, all dedicated to a single varietal: Chardonnay.

Domaine Leflaive produces wines at all AOC levels: 

AOC Grand Cru

• Montrachet, 0.0821 hectares (0.203 acres)
• Chevalier-Montrachet, 1.99 hectares (4.9 acres)
• Bâtard-Montrachet, 1.91 hectares (4.7 acres)
• Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet, 1.15 hectares (2.8 acres)

AOC Premier Cru

• Puligny-Montrachet Les Pucelles, Folatières, Les Combettes, Le Clavoillon
• Meursault sous le Dos d'Âne

AOC Village wine

• Puligny-Montrachet, 7 climats totalling 4.64 hectares (11.5 acres)

AOC Regional wine

• Bourgogne blanc from 2 parcels totalling 3.24 hectares (8.0 acres)

Domaine Leflaive ramifications

To clarify, Domaine Leflaive and Olivier Leflaive's négociant business are completely separate entities. 

As for "Domaines Leflaive" (with an "s" at the end of Domaine), it represents an extension of Domaine Leflaive in the Mâconnais region to explore the family's extensive vineyard holdings (Mâcon-Verzé, Pouilly-Fuissé, etc...). These holdings are either owned or leased long-term through the family's close relationships with vineyard owners in the area. 

The vineyards are certified organic and biodynamic, and the family directly handles all work in the vineyards, the harvest, and the vinification of the wines in the Domaine's cellar in Puligny-Montrachet. 

This Mâcon-Verzé is one of these wines and undeniably one of the best values of their portfolio.  

Domaines Leflaive Macon-Verzé Burgundy 2021

Mineral, fresh, zesty, focused, subtle, elegant, gentle, with lemon and stonefruit aromas mingling with butter, vanilla, and toasted nuances, and that utterly satisfying "glycerine" sensation coating the palate, so characteristic of Domaine Leflaive wines, especially within their Puligny-Montrachet(s), leading to the long, fresh and mineral finish. What a delicious little wine with a lively energy! Love it!

I could drink a lot of this wine! 😋😋😋😋

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

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(*) Numbers may differ depending on the sources. The table above only includes the main regions and villages, as it would be impossible to fit every single one of the 785 AOCs (appellations) of Burgundy into a single table. For example, there are 44 AOC villages and a staggering 662 climats classified as Premiers Crus in Burgundy. Some Regional Appellations and regional denominations have also been omitted due to a lack of space (e.g., Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise, Bourgogne Côte du Couchois, Bourgogne white and red, Bourgogne Aligoté, Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains, and Côteaux Bourguignons, Crémant de Bourgogne, etc.). Numbers courtesy of https://www.bourgogne-wines.com

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2025, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Mise en place

Mise en place

Billecart Salmon Le Clos Saint-Hilaire Champagne 1996

@champagne_billecart_salmon #billecartsalmon

Clos de Tart Grand Cru Monopole Bourgogne 2016

@closdetart #closdetart

Château Lafite Rothschild Pauillac Bordeaux 2015

@chateaulafiterothschild #lafiterothschild

Jean Grivot Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru Bourgogne 2018

@domainegrivot #domainegrivot

Château L'Evangile Pomerol Bordeaux 2016

@chateaulevangile #evangile

Dom Perignon Vintage Champagne 2013

@domperignonofficial #domperignon

Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Bordeaux 2016

@chateauhautbrion_ #hautbrion

Krug Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2006

@krugchampagne #krug

Henriot Champagne Millesime 2008

@champagnehenriot #henriot

Château Figeac Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux 2016

@chateau_figeac #figeac

Henriot "L'Inattendue" Chardonnay Grand Cru 2016

@champagnehenriot #henriot

Château Pichon Baron Pauillac Bordeaux 2016

@pichonbaron #pichonbaron

Château La Conseillante Pomerol Bordeaux 2005

@laconseillante #laconseillante

Château Palmer Margaux Bordeaux 2009

@chateaupalmer #palmer #chateaupalmer

Anne Gros Richebourg Grand Cru Bourgogne 2020

@domaineannegros #annegros

Krug Grande Cuvée 171ème Édition Champagne NV

@krugchampagne #krug

Dom Perignon Plenitude 2 Vintage Champagne 2004

@domperignonofficial #domperignon

Château Latour Pauillac Bordeaux 1995

#chateaulatour #latour 

Château Mouton-Rothschild Pauillac Bordeaux 2015

@chateaumoutonrothschild_ #moutonrothschild


Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #wine #vin #vino #wein #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #miseenplace #ilovemyjob #wineyearly #lovewine #wineinlife #lifeinwine

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2025, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: When you like Champagne - A brief post about its History, Origins, and Evolution

When you like Champagne 😋👍🍾🥂 

A brief post about its History, Origins, and Evolution 

Champagne is more than just a sparkling drink; it symbolizes celebration, luxury, and tradition. Originating from the eponymous region in France, this sparkling wine has a rich and fascinating history dating back centuries. From its humble beginnings to its status as an iconic drink, champagne has undergone a remarkable evolution, marked by technical innovations, cultural changes, and global recognition.

History & Origins

The history of champagne begins in the Champagne region of northeastern France. The Romans planted the first vines there, and wine was still produced for centuries until the 17th century, when champagne, as we know it today, began to take shape.

The Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon (1638 - 1715), often credited with the invention of champagne, played a crucial role in developing the methode champenoise, which involves causing a second fermentation in the bottle to create the characteristic bubbles.

Yet, historically, the earliest documented sparkling wine is Blanquette de Limoux, created by Benedictine monks at the Abbey of Saint-Hilaire, near Carcassonne, in 1531. Creating it by sealing the wine in bottles before the completion of its first fermentation.

Over a century later, in England, scientist and physician Christopher Merret documented the process of adding sugar to a finished wine, thus initiating a second fermentation (six years before Dom Pérignon arrived at the Abbey of Hautvillers).

In 1662, Merret presented a paper at the Royal Society outlining what is now known as ‘méthode traditionnelle’ (also known as Methode Champenoise). His findings coincided with advancements by English glassmakers, who developed bottles sturdy enough to handle the internal pressures of secondary fermentation. In contrast, French glassmakers could not produce bottles of comparable strength or quality then.

In France, the first sparkling champagne was created by accident, as the pressure in the bottles led to explosions or corks popping off, earning it the nickname "the devil's wine" (le vin du diable). At the time, bubbles were seen as a defect.

Adolphe Jaquesson developed the muselet in 1844 to prevent corks from flying out. Early versions were challenging to apply and remove.

For a long time, even when champagne was intentionally made sparkling, it was produced using the 'méthode rurale,’ which involved bottled wine before the fermentation was completed. The 'méthode champenoise' (or traditional method), which involves secondary fermentation in the bottle, was not adopted until the 19th century, roughly 200 years after Merret recorded the technique.

In the 18th century, champagne gained popularity among French and European nobility, becoming a symbol of luxury and refinement. Champagne houses, such as Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Louis Roederer, were founded during this period and helped establish the standards of quality and production that we still can see and taste today.

Development of Champagne over the Last 30 Years

Over the past three decades, champagne production and consumption have significantly transformed. Technological advances have improved winemaking methods, ensuring consistent quality and more efficient production. Champagne producers have also adopted more sustainable winemaking practices, meeting a growing demand for environmentally friendly products.

Champagne gradually lost its reputation as reserved only for the elite, the rich, and the famous. It became more approachable and appreciated by the masses and younger generations. The emergence of younger and lesser-known independent producers also helped to open and democratize the Champagne market.

On a commercial level, champagne has seen its market extend well beyond French and European borders. Exports have increased significantly in the US and other countries, with emerging markets such as China, India, and Brazil becoming significant consumers. This global expansion increased the awareness of Champagne and introduced new consumption trends, such as 'Special Cuvées,' rosé, and vintage champagnes.

At the same time, the Champagne region has evolved, with new appellations, investments, and initiatives aimed at protecting and promoting wine heritage. Tourists worldwide flock to the area to discover the vineyards, cellars, and champagne houses, contributing to the local economy and the international reputation of champagne.

The State of Champagne Sales and Future Prospects

Over the past decade, despite the diminution of wine sales in general since COVID-19, the champagne market has experienced significant fluctuations, reflecting both global economic challenges and changes in consumer behavior. Champagne sales were marked by sustained growth in certain regions, notably Asia and North America, while traditional markets such as Europe showed signs of stabilization.

Effects and Consequences on the Current Market

As mentioned above, the last ten years have seen a diversification of consumer markets, with a notable increase in exports to emerging countries. This expansion increased champagne awareness and introduced new consumption trends, such as 'Special Cuvées,' rosé, and vintage champagnes. Champagne producers have had to adapt to these new demands by innovating both in terms of production and marketing.

However, the past decade has also been marked by economic challenges, including the 2020 global health crisis, which temporarily affected sales and production. Restrictions on gatherings and events have limited occasions for drinking champagne, traditionally associated with celebrations and festive moments. Despite these obstacles, the sector has shown remarkable resilience, with a rapid recovery in sales as soon as restrictions were lifted.

Yet, COVID-19 confinement obliged a large number of people to work from home, leading to an increase in alcohol consumption. As a result, anti-alcohol campaigns rapidly exploded globally, denouncing the effects and consequences of alcohol consumption and abuse. Although these campaigns originally aimed at hard alcohol (spirits like whisky, gin, vodka, etc.) and beers, they quickly spread to all alcoholic beverages, including wine and, thus, Champagne, greatly affecting sales and consumption in the last five years.  

Global warming has also changed the Champagne and bubbly wine market. Producers now create sparkling wines in areas, regions, and even countries where this was not considered plausible less than a decade or two ago.         

Overproduction is also a concern. With more small and independent producers crafting sparkling wine worldwide and lesser sales and consumption, competition for brand, quality, and price is fierce. 

So what does it mean for Champagne in tomorrow's market? 

Perspectives for the Market of Tomorrow

Despite fierce competition and overproduction of sparkling wines, the champagne market still looks promising for the future thanks to its name (Champagne can only be produced in France), quality, and reputation. 

Current trends indicate a growing demand for high-quality products and unique experiences. Consumers, who are increasingly aware of environmental issues, are looking for sustainably produced champagne, pushing champagne houses to adopt environmentally friendly viticultural practices, improve their quality, and adapt to the new markets to maintain their sales.  

Technological innovations will continue to be crucial in improving production methods and ensuring quality. Advances in winemaking and vineyard management will allow champagne to meet growing demand while maintaining its renowned high standards.

Additionally, the rise of e-commerce and direct sales platforms provides new opportunities to reach consumers worldwide. Champagne houses are investing increasingly in digital marketing and online sales strategies to reach a larger and more diverse audience.

To Conclude

In conclusion, although the last decade has presented many challenges (COVID-19, anti-alcohol campaigns, overproduction, and global warming opening new areas of production for sparkling wines, along with a general decrease in consumption, especially among younger generations facing financial difficulties and disinterest in alcoholic products), the champagne market seems to remain dynamic and full of potential. The adaptations and innovations implemented by producers position champagne as a beverage of choice for many years to come (hopefully), promising to continue celebrating special moments and delighting palates around the world.

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I could have continued discussing this vast subject for hours and write about it in more detail. Still, I did not want to bore you with the specifics, as the world we live in is already in a sad state, with war, violence, famine, economic, financial, political, geopolitical, and religious issues, problems, and concerns. Therefore, I kept this post as positive as I could. 

Even if the past three years have been extremely difficult for the wine industry globally, for all the reasons cited above and beyond, as a Champagne and Wine lover, I firmly believe that Champagne (and wine in general) still has a future.

As for everything else, time will tell. 

So, for now, let's just enjoy a glass (or two) of Champagne!

Jacques Selosse Initial Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut

Compared to its siblings with lower production, ‘Initial’ is one of Jacques Selosse's most accessible cuvées, with 33000 bottles produced. It is made from vineyards planted on the lower part of the slopes of Avize, Cramant, and Oger. Its complexity results from the clay-rich soils, which have higher yields than the vineyards that produce ‘Version Originale’ (V. O.).

This beautiful non-vintage champagne Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, crafted with 100% Chardonnay grapes and disgorged in 2021, is a delight for your taste buds. Beyond its pale yellow color and fine bubbles, it displays aromas of pear, dried fruits, and lemon, with lightly toasted notes of bread and almonds. Medium to full-bodied, it's rich, complex, layered, focused, and fresh, with bright acidity and a long, lingering finish. Love it.

Dom Perignon Plenitude 2 Brut 2003

Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2 (P2) 2003 is a perfect example of climate change. It reflects this Champagne house's dedication to embracing risks. It may never have existed without cautious, bold decisions based on adaptation, flexibility, expertise, and experience, especially while facing such an unprecedented hot vintage.

As a reminder, the sudden and brutal heat wave of 2003 was recorded as the hottest summer in Europe since at least the 16th century. France was hit especially hard. It led to health crises in several countries, and the death toll across Europe was estimated at more than 70,000 people.

Combined with subsequent drought, the heat wave created a crop shortfall in parts of Southern Europe, including vines. The predominant heat was recorded in July and August, partly due to the Western European seasonal lag from the maritime influence of the Atlantic warm waters combined with hot continental air and strong southerly winds. (*)

Following a harsh, dry winter, severe frosts in early April 2003 led to considerable losses. Then, temperatures soared in late May, culminating in extraordinary highs. This was followed by a heat wave that delivered the Champagne region's hottest summer in fifty-three years and the driest in a decade. Due to the heat accelerating the ripening process and reducing grape yield, harvesting surprisingly commenced on August 21.

As a result of this heat wave, Dom Perignon Plenitude 2 2003 is a bold and fleshy champagne that reflects the ripeness of the vintage combined with enough freshness to keep it balanced and harmonious. It presents a slightly advanced golden color. The nose offers floral and limey aromas at first, evolving into riper, sweeter, lemony, candied yellow, and stone fruits. Thanks to early harvest to preserve the acidity and prevent overripeness, the palate is fresh with flavors like those on the nose, with more pronounced lemon and yellow fruits mingling with peppery, spicy, and floral notes. The taste, texture, and structure are somewhat atypical for Dom Plenitude 2 as it behaves like a wave, characterized by ups and downs: starting by unfolding a fruity attack, the mid-palate develops in an ample and coating way before retreating into a more restrained verticality leading to a slightly bitter, savory finish.

It's not bad, but definitely not as good as the amazing 2002 vintage. And yet, you’ve got to give it some credit for even existing, knowing the difficulties of the vintage.

Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Millesime 2010

Dom Ruinart exclusively selects Chardonnay from primarily Grand Cru sites. 90% of the Chardonnay grapes are sourced from the Côte des Blancs (including Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize, Chouilly, and Cramant), planted in the Cote’s famous white, calcareous chalky soil where it excels, benefiting from an easterly exposure. The remaining 10% comes from the north-facing Montagne de Reims, specifically from Maison Ruinart's historic vineyard located in the grand cru areas of the village of Sillery.

Dom Ruinart 2010 represents a significant milestone. In its pursuit of excellence, Maison Ruinart opted to extend the wine's aging process to unveil additional layers of flavor. For this cuvée, the oenological team decided to reintroduce cork during aging, confirming its benefits through years of tastings. After 10 years of maturation, it is interesting that the cork has imparted a woody character to this vintage, in addition to the grilled almonds and coffee aromas on the nose and palate. The palate is aromatic and fresh, rich and layered, even if not as long as I would have loved it to be.

To be fair, Dom Ruinart should have been served first, followed by Selosse Initial, which is more complex and elegant, and Dom Perignon P2, which is the boldest despite lacking substance in the finish.

Yet, no matter what, I love champagne, no matter in which order it is served.

That’s all, folks, for today!

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #wine #vin #vino #wein #champagne @domainejacquesselosse #jacquesselosse @domperignonofficial #domperignon #domperignonp2 @ruinart #ruinart #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob #lovewine #wineyearly

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2025, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Château Mouton Rothschild 2015 and the wine-colored Phonograph

Château Mouton Rothschild 2015 

And the wine-colored Phonograph: 

A Harmony of Luxury and Tradition

Château Mouton Rothschild is an iconic Pauillac wine that embodies excellence. It is one of the most prestigious wineries in Bordeaux and the world.

Combined with this wine-colored phonograph, it creates an atmosphere of luxury and refinement, perfect for wine and music lovers.

Embellished by Gerhard Richter's colorful label, the 2015 vintage is particularly remarkable for its complexity and elegance.

A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, this wine offers intense aromas of black fruits, blackcurrant, and cherry, with subtle notes of chocolate and tobacco. The palate is rich and velvety, with present yet integrated tannins and a long, persistent finish. Love it.

I can't tell you when and where I took this picture, but I love this antic wine-colored phonograph (and the wine, too).

The phonograph, invented by Thomas Edison in 1877, is an iconic device that revolutionized music listening. It eventually led to the record players (or turntables) used in the mid-to-late 20th century, which have experienced a renaissance in the past decade.

The wine color adds a touch of sophistication and nostalgia to this old phonograph. Its elegant design and refined wine-colored finish perfectly complement the color of the Mouton Rothschild 2015 in the glass and on the capsule. Perfect pairing!

This bottle of Mouton Rothschild 2015 and this wine-colored phonograph form a perfect duo for lovers of luxury and tradition in wine and music.

This picture is an invitation to have a glass of wine while listening to music in a cozy, luxurious, and relaxed atmosphere!

My kind of ambiance!

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin @chateaumoutonrothschild_ #moutonrothschild #pauillac #bordeaux #wine #vin #vino #wein #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #tastingnotes #ilovemyjob #wineyearly #lovewine

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2025, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).