Is Dom Perignon Worth It
As mentioned, Dom Perignon has become the symbol of luxury and fine living, often chosen as the drink at big events and celebrations. It has established the golden standard for champagnes, an impressive feat considering that Moët and Chandon is a champagne house thats barely a century old.
However, it has earned its reputation for luxury and excess for a reason. As you can see below, prices for this begin at $147, a price that not many can afford. But why is it so expensive? Are the taste and quality worth paying hundreds and sometimes, thousands, of dollars?
Lets check out a few of the reasons why Dom Perignon can be worth every penny:
- Age of the Wine Vintage
While other wines are released to the market after being aged at least 3 years, Dom Perignon sets itself apart by aging its champagnes at least 9 years before releasing it to the public market.
- Made from Pinot and Chardonnay
Dom Perignons are always made with two types of grapes Pinot and Chardonnay. While the ratio of each grape varies for each version, the consistent use of two types of grapes and the restrictions added to the manufacturers contribute to the high prices.
- Limitation of Release
Despite its popularity, not every year does the Champagne house release a Dom Perignon. This is because they only release these champagnes that have been aged for a minimum of 9 years.
- Only the Best for the Best
Who Is Dom Perignon
Contrary to a common wine myth, Dom Perignon is not the creator of champagne as we know it. Dom Pierre Perignon was a Benedictine monk who took winemaking on as a religious passion. While the champagne method came before Perignon began his efforts, he is known to have perfected the art of winemaking overall. Even he describes the Champagne as tasting the stars.
Dom Pierre Perignon is credited with creating and mastering many techniques like blending wines, enhancing flavors, and proper bottling timeframes. Perignon also introduced corks and thick bottles to prevent explosions. Champagne became far more popular well after his death but he has been honored as an innovator in the industry.
A Brief History Of Dom Prignon
The Moët et Chandon Champagne house in Hautvillers, France made the first vintage of Dom Pérignon Champagne in 1921. Hautvillers, France is in the Champagne region of France about 100 miles east of Paris.
Even though the Champagne was produced in 1921 this first vintage of Dom Pérignon wasnt released for sale until 1936 due to the aging process.
Dom Pérignon has been releasing Champagne ever since with the most recent vintage being the 2012 Vintage.
Even though 1921 is over one hundred years ago the history of Dom Pérignon and Champagne goes back much further.
Winemaking in France had already been happening for centuries when a trailblazing Benedictine monk named Dom Pérignon came along and took the beverage to the next level.
Around 1670 he perfected techniques across the board from how he blended grapes, finding the proper time to bottle, and using corks to enhance freshness.
Dom Pérignon didnt find the company which is now owned by Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton but he is certainly a worthy namesake. Dom Pérignon is a vintage Champangne.
What does that all mean exactly? The word vintage can be thrown around generally to designate a year something was released but when it comes to Champagne it has a more specific meaning.
Vintage means that all the Champagne produced in that vintage is from that years harvest of grapes. Speaking of grapes, Dom Pérignon is made exclusively with a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.
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What Is The Price Of A Dom Prignon
The price of a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne depends strongly on the quality of the vintage and its age. On average the price of a bottle of Dom Perignon is around 225 DOMDOM PÉRIGNON X LADY GAGA VINTAGE 2010 . The recent vintages are rather around 215 while the oldest and thus rare ones can reach 500 .
Properties Of Dom Perignon Champagne
If you research the Dom Perignon Rose Champagne, you will rarely find some authentic information. You will notice that this champagne has no cholesterol. You can consume it without getting worried about getting fat. With zero cholesterol, it makes this champagne perfect for all the people. But on the other side, it does not even contain any type of protein or any other helpful minerals. It does not even have any percentage of crabs.
But you will notice and stay surprised that it is one of the best champagnes with a high amount of calories. It has more than 504 calories in it. When you observe the content of Dom Perignon, you can see that it contains alcohol. Each bottle of Dom Perignon contains about 12.5 percent alcohol. Dom Perignon Rose Price is reasonable as per the calories present.
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There Are Particular Aging Requirements
The Comité Champagne has regulations specifying the aging duration before bottles can be released for sale. The minimum time for non-vintage Champagne is 15 months while vintage bottles must rest for at least three years. During this time, the wine sits on the lees , enhancing the flavor and providing a creamier mouthfeel to the final product, according to Wine Folly.
Dom Pérignon takes it a step further by aging the wine for a minimum of seven years in the cellar. Allowing the wine to sit and slowly develop over time creates richer, more complex aromas that make it so unique. To fully highlight the progression of the Champagne over time, Dom is often released in stages, bottled as the Plénitude series.
In an interview with Best Champagne, Richard Geoffrey explained that the P1, P2, and P3 labels of a certain vintage consist of the same wine at different stages in its development, which he compares to a person’s evolution throughout their lifetime. P1 is the standard release sold around eight or nine years following the vintage. P2 comes out 15 or 20 years later, while P3 rests for over 25 years before becoming available to the public.
Why Does Dom Perignon Cost So Much
When talking about how much is a bottle of Dom Perignon, one must be amazed at its price. Dom Perignon is one of the most popular and expensive champagnes. There are several reasons why this bubbly beverage commands such a high price tag.
Pinot & Chardonnay
Pinot & Chardonnay grapes are used in all Dom Perignon vintages, grown in the best vineyards located in the Champagne region of France. The terrain and climate are perfect for these varietals, producing grapes with intense flavor and high acidity.
At least 160 kilograms of grapes per 102 litres of juice are used in each vintage of Dom Perignon, which is double the amount required by the Appellation dOrigine Contrôlée. As a result, the final product is very concentrated, giving it a richer flavor.
Minimum of Seven Years of Aging
The aging process impacts pricing for wine and spirits. By rule, Dom Perignon vintages must be aged at least seven years before release into the market some are held in storage much longer than twenty years or more!
The winemaker only makes beverages when they believe they will have an adequate shelf life of between ten and twenty decades to not interfere with future production schedules .
This means theres never any fear about running out because youll always find something good waiting on your return trip.
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Incredibly Beautiful Packaging
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How To Drink Dom Prignon
Dom Pérignon is best served at around 10°C, which means chilling it in the fridge for two hours. Take it out around 15 minutes before serving to let the bottle warm ever so slightly. If you dont have two hours to spare, place the bottle in an ice bucket instead.
There are three types of champagne glasses to choose from: Champagne flutes, coupes and tulips. Real Champagne glasses have curves, which highlight the aromas and allow the bubbles to fizz for longer. Open the bottle by gently loosening the cork and pour slowly, so the bubbles dont overflow in the glass. Start by pouring an inch of Dom Pérignon and allowing the liquid to settle. Top off each glass until its no more than two-thirds full.
Drink your Champagne by holding the glass by its stem rather than the bowl, to stop it from warming up too quickly.
It Is Made With Two Different Grape Varieties
The governing body that regulates the production of wine in the Champagne AOC has rules regarding all aspects of the viticultural and winemaking process, according to Comité Champagne. This ensures quality as well as a certain uniformity across the characteristics of all Champagne. The prestigious sparkling wine must be made using seven permitted grape varieties, most notably Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
Each Champagne brand selects which grapes to use depending on the style of wine to be produced, as well as yearly conditions. Dom Pérignon is exclusively made with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in approximately equal parts, per . Although the ratio may sometimes skew towards a higher proportion of one grape over the other, an overall balance is achieved. In an interview with Best Champagne, Richard Geoffrey, the brand’s highly revered cellar master from 1990 to 2018, described how the two grapes create a harmonious yet contrasting blend: “This duality is represented by the Pinot Noir, more powerful and the Chardonnay, more elegant.”
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Did Dom Pierre Perignon Create The Champagne Method
No. Some believe that it was the monk Dom Pierre Perignon who first invented the methode champenoise or champagne method, by which sugar is added to wine in order to initiate a second fermentation, resulting in carbon dioxide dissolved as bottles in the glass. Nevertheless, this remains an unproven myth. While the monk is, in fact, responsible for several winemaking innovations , the champagne method of secondary fermentation was documented several years before his tenure at the abbey.
The Best Way To Drink Dom Prignon Champagne
To get the best tasting results from Dom Pérignon Champagne, it should always be served chilled.
Between 47 and 50 degrees is the optimal temperature for a vintage Champagne, which you an achieve by refrigerating the bottle for about 2 hours before serving. If time is limited, this temperature can also be achieved using an ice bucket topped with a bit of salt for up to half an hour. Serve in proper Champagne flutes to gain the full experience. Champagne flutes will keep the beverage cooler longer and maintain the bubbles. Avoid chilling Dom Pérignon in the freezer or serving the champagne in pre-chilled glasses, as it will reduce the quality of the effervescence.
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Dom Prignon Has Caught The Eye Of Fraudsters
Given the premium price the average bottle garners, Dom Pérignon Champagne is a prime target for scammers. Numerous counterfeiters have falsely reproduced the prestigious wine, often successfully selling it far beyond its worth. Purchasing wine from reputable retailers who can ensure authenticity is one way to avoid splurging on a fake, per Vinfolio.
In 2021 Vino Joy News reported that two cases of the Luminous Millesime Brut Vintage 2002 sold for over $6,000. The bottle labels are colorful which was ultimately the demise of the counterfeiter. Only green and red labels were actually printed, leading the buyer to realize that the case containing assorted colorful labels was a fake. Other inconsistencies and careless spelling mistakes led to court proceedings and ultimately a payout to Moët.
Meanwhile, some consumers actually got bottles of Dom disguised as ordinary house wine, while the Champagne house got ripped off in the process. According to The Independent, Turkish buyer Dogan Arslan fooled countless French vineyards including those owned by Dom Pérignon by paying for cases of wine with bounced checks. In the wine business, cases are typically shipped before payment is received. Instead of selling the prestigious wine for top dollar, Arslan sold it below its market price to Turkish restaurants in London. Since he wasn’t actually paying for anything, he was able to rack up millions of dollars of profit.
Despite Its Prestige Dom Prignon Cant Be Labeled As Grand Cru Champagne
In Champagne, only certain vineyards are classified as Grand Cru, and a Champagne must only be made from these vineyards in order to qualify as a Grand Cru Champagne. Dom Pérignon is made with many grapes from Grand Cru vineyards, but each blend always includes grapes from the original plot in the Abbey of Hautvillers, which is classified as Premier Cru fruit.
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The History Behind Dom Prignon
Lets clear one thing up first: Dom Pierre Pérignon didnt invent Champagne, but he did refine it to make it into the bottles that we savor nowadays. Dom was a 17th-century monk who worked as a cellar master in the Abbey of Hautvillers, in Champagne, France.
He didnt appreciate bubbles, believing they corrupted the wine that was already being produced in the Champagne region. He believed that hard work brought a monk closer to God and so made it his lifes mission to create the best wine in the world.
He shaped things up in a move that many could now class as doing the Lords work by mixing grapes with new vigor and passion for producing a bottle full of graceful and fragrant sparkling wine.
Years later, Dom enjoyed a posthumous appreciation when Champagne production stepped up a notch and since then the brand has become a firm favorite for royals, rappers and everyone in between. This prestige cuvée is produced by Champagne house Moët & Chandon and stands as the houses top cuvée.
It’s Popular Among Film And Music Celebrities
You can bet that the rich and famous love popping bottles of Dom. While the Champagne is often referenced in rap music, other noteworthy fans include Marilyn Monroe. Club Oenologique reports that the famous blonde was fond of the opulent bubbles. She was immortalized drinking them in “The Last Sitting” photoshoot shortly before her death in 1962. According to The New York Times, Martha Stewart is also a fan of the Champagne, and even hosted a vintage themed party in 2004, serving bottles of 1998 P2 Dom.
Few characters are as enduring as James Bond, and British wine writer carefully chronicled his love for Champagne. While his passion extended beyond Dom Pérignon, the brand featured in most of the first ten Bond films in the ’60s and ’70s. Robinson reports that in 1979 the Moët Hennessy company chose not to offer up free Dom for the film premieres, ending its appearance on the big screen.
Meanwhile, many rappers sing about the extravagant bubbles, such as Notorious B.I.G. in the song “Party and Bulls***.” As well, Hyphy Hip Hop lists 50 Cent, A Tribe Called Quest, and Hodgy Beats with Domo Genesis among artists who’ve rapped about Dom Pérignon. The Boombox also noted that Nas mentioned the Champagne in “The World is Yours.” Thanks to its appealing allure and recognition as a status symbol, Dom Pérignon is a regular in the entertainment world.
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Dom Prignon French 75
- Two dashes simple syrup
Cocktail recipes: A French 75 cocktail combines gin, Champagne, lemon juice and sugar to create a classic drink that dates back to Paris in 1915. Make it by pouring gin, syrup, and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shaking vigorously. Then, strain the mixture into a chilled Champagne glass and top with Dom Pérignon before stirring gently.
Dom Prignon Price Sizes & Buying Guide
Looking for an updated Dom Perignon price guide? Miller High Life has the tagline The Champagne of Beers due to both its high carbonation and its sense of style. This leads to the obvious question of what Champagne is the Champagne of Champagne?
That question has a simple answer: Dom Pérignon. While all champagne has bubbles there is only one brand that rises to the very top.
If there is a single high-end Champagne on the menu at a fancy restaurant it is Dom Pérignon. If you see an imposing bottle behind the counter at your local wine or liquor shop it is Dom Pérignon.
If you quiz the general public to name an expensive luxury Champagne 99 times out of 100 they will respond with the name Dom Pérignon. The other one is most likely a wiseacre who responded with Miller High Life.
Theres a reason Dom Pérignon is so well known and respected. It is a vintage line of luxury Champagne that has an air of mystique. Dom Pérignon backs up that image with high quality and exquisite taste.
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Interesting Facts & Myths
Dom Pérignon the monk is often touted as the inventor of the process of making Champagne.
Although he is a very important figure in the history of sparkling French wine he did not come up with the process of making Champagne known as the Traditional Method.
This method had already been around for almost a century when Dom Pérignon started producing Champagne.
Two of the coolest musicians around have their own editions of vintage Dom Pérignon. None other than Lady Gaga and Lenny Kravitz. Could Dom Pérignon the monk could have imagined this partnership back in 1670?
