Dom Perignon is a brand of champagne that has become synonymous with luxury and quality. Produced in the Champagne region of France, this sparkling wine has been enjoyed by people all over the world for centuries. The art of producing Dom Perignon champagne is a complex and delicate process that requires expert knowledge, skill, and patience.
The History of Dom Perignon
First of all, you will find Dom Perignon Champagne to be discovered on millesima-usa.com if you want to taste this luxury drink. But before that, it is good to learn more about the history of the champagne house. It begins with a monk of the same name who lived in the late 17th century. Dom Perignon was a cellarer at the Abbey of Hautvillers where he worked to improve the quality of the wines produced there. He is credited with many innovations in winemaking, including the use of cork stoppers to prevent spoilage and the blending of different grape varieties to create unique flavors.
It was not until the 1930s that the Dom Perignon brand was created. The champagne was named in honor of the monk who had played such a significant role in the history of winemaking. Today, Dom Perignon is produced by the champagne house Moet & Chandon and is considered one of the world’s most prestigious champagne brands.
The Production Process
Careful and precise, the production process for Dom Perignon champagne involves several stages. The first step is the harvesting of the grapes which must be done by hand to ensure that only the best grapes are selected. The grapes used in Dom Perignon are exclusively Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, two of the most important grape varieties in the Champagne region.
Once the grapes have been harvested, they are pressed to extract the juice. The juice is then fermented in stainless steel tanks, a process that takes about two weeks. After fermentation, the wine is aged in oak barrels for six to eight months. This aging process helps to develop the wine’s complex flavors and aromas.
After the initial aging, the wine is blended with other wines to create the final blend. This blending process is a crucial step in the production of Dom Perignon as it is what gives the champagne its unique flavor and character. The final blend is then bottled and undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle. This process, known as the “Méthode Champenoise,” is what gives champagne its characteristic bubbles.
The champagne is aged in the bottle for a minimum of seven years, with some vintages aging for up to 20 years or more. During this time, the bottles are stored in cool, dark cellars and turned by hand on a regular basis to ensure that the sediment settles at the bottom of the bottle. This sediment is later removed through a process called riddling which involves turning the bottles upside down and slowly rotating them to bring the sediment to the neck of the bottle.
Finally, the bottles are disgorged or opened, and the sediment is removed. The champagne is then topped up with a mixture of wine and sugar, known as the dosage, before being sealed with a cork and wire cage.
