Dom Perignon – A Champagne Icon

The most famous of Champagnes and one of the most recognisable brands on the planet, Dom Perignon is emblematic of exclusivity, luxury and all things ‘fine’. This reputation is richly deserved.

The History of Dom Perignon

Dom Perignon is named after a Benedictine monk who was a 17th-century monk and winemaking pioneer. Owners Moet & Chandon released their first vintage in the 1930s, and it has since gone on the achieve global fame. It is a must for collectors and connoisseurs and a fixture on the wine lists of top restaurants, clubs and nightclubs.

The Style and Substance

Dom Perignon is a classic blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, always from a single vintage. Access to a peerless array of crus and the finest grapes produced within them means that consistent quality is always guaranteed. Winemaking is no expense spared and second to none.

The house style is one of intensity, structure and power while always remaining elegant, refined and balanced. While every vintage is different, the theme that runs throughout the years is poise, sophistication and class.

Great Recent Vintages of Dom Perignon

The last decade has thrown up some profound Champagne vintages. 2002, 2008 and 2012 were superb, with Dom very much in the elite. Not to be overlooked, however, are years like 2005, 2006 and 2009. These are fantastic expressions of Dom and will generally arrive at their optimum drinking windows that little bit sooner.

Try to Buy on Release

Think of Dom Perignon, and the image of bottles being opened in exclusive clubs and restaurants immediately springs to mind. This image is, of course, well deserved, but not the whole picture, as Dom Perignon has a tremendous capacity to age.

This luxury Champagne is released with a good amount of bottle age, hence the popularity with drinkers, but this merely gives a glimpse of its full potential This is a Champagne that dazzles with an extra five, ten or even twenty years of bottle age. This time means it will have mellowed, relaxed and become a complex masterpiece.

It will also become rare on the market just as it reaches this peak as precious bottles are inevitably consumed. This increased scarcity has a direct impact on prices, which can soar. Our advice is to buy Dom Perignon as close to release as possible, keep it in a good storage facility and feel very smug that you did once it hits its tenth or twentieth birthday.