France · Champagne

Dom Pérignon

Dom Pérignon is the world's most recognised prestige Champagne brand and the most widely traded Champagne at auction — a luxury cuvée produced by Moët & Chandon (part of the LVMH group) from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sourced across the finest Grand Cru and Premier Cru villages of Champagne. The brand is named after Pierre Pérignon, the monk at the Abbey of Hautvillers who made significant contributions to Champagne production in the late 17th century; the first officially marketed vintage under the Dom Pérignon label was 1921. Dom Pérignon is produced only as a vintage wine — no NV cuvée exists under the label — and only in years the house considers worthy of the prestige designation. The cellar master's role has been occupied by Richard Geoffroy for 28 years (1990–2018), whose concept of 'plénitudes' — multiple release windows (P1, P2, P3) for the same vintage as it develops through different stages of maturity — has transformed the way collectors approach the brand. The P2 (second plénitude, typically released 12–15 years after harvest) and P3 releases are particularly prized at auction. The rosé, produced from Pinot Noir from Grand Cru Aÿ with red wine macerated skins, is considered by many critics to be the finest rosé Champagne in the world. Significant artist collaborations — with Jeff Koons, Karl Lagerfeld, and others — have made Dom Pérignon a crossover luxury and art world collectible. The 1990, 1996, 2002, 2008, and 2012 vintages are considered the modern classics.