Having had occasion to taste Champagne on a regular basis working in Michelin starred restaurants (for training purposes of course) I had so far, throughout my working life, been denied the taste of the famed Dom Pérignon. I had come to know and love the Laurent Perrier’s, the Taittinger’s ... Read review
Advantages: Best of the best Disadvantages: Expensive for the average waitress
...the taste of the famed Dom Pérignon. I had come to know and love the Laurent Perrier’s, the Taittinger’s and once had occasion to taste a wonderful Louis Roederer in its vintage year of 1989. However, I am no connoisseur of Champagne and would go so far to saying that Champagne is a fashion statement, an utter waste of money, over-rated and sometimes disappointing to experience after the build-up of realising that you are actually drinking the magical ... ...can buy at Tesco.
Dom Pérignon is the product of the Moët et Chandon Champagne house, named after the 17th century Benedictine monk who first discovered how to make Champagne. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes are used in equal measures; so one does not dominate the other. I cannot compare between the different years as I have only had occasion to taste a 1992 vintage.
I had come to the conclusion that Dom Pérignon would never ... more
Having had occasion to taste Champagne on a regular basis working in Michelin starred restaurants (for training purposes of course) I had so far, throughout my working life, been denied the taste of the famed Dom Pérignon. I had come to know and love the Laurent Perrier’s, the Taittinger’s and once had occasion to taste a wonderful Louis Roederer in its vintage year of 1989. However, I am no connoisseur of Champagne and would go so far to saying that Champagne is a fashion statement, an utter waste of money, over-rated and sometimes disappointing to experience after the build-up of realising that you are actually drinking the magical elixir. On the flip side Champagne is luxurious, decadent and indulgent. Illusions of famous movie stars in 1930’s Hollywood, casually sipping their Champagne at some exclusive post-picture party come to mind when I think of the more exclusive Champagne, not the stuff you can buy at Tesco. Dom Pérignon is the product of the Moët et Chandon Champagne house, named after the 17th century Benedictine monk who first discovered how to make Champagne. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes are used in equal measures; so one does not dominate the other. I cannot compare between the different years as I have only had occasion to taste a 1992 vintage.
I had come to the conclusion that Dom Pérignon would never be something I would ever experience, until I had occasion to waitress at a party hosted by some footballers. However, It wasn’t the chiselled good looks of the midfield player or the tanned face of a striker that impressed me, it was the shiny golden crest of the Dom Pérignon that took my breath away – and so many bottles, I thought I was going to faint! Now I knew all these bottles couldn’t possibly be a vintage although I did spot 1992 which was singled out and given to the guests before they became too squiffy to realise that they were in fact drinking a vintage year. The best vintage years recently would see-saw between 1990 and 1996 for excellence; however there was none of that so I made it my mission to taste a 1992 vintage.
After eyeing longingly a glass held by a rather dashing fellow; he must have sensed my lack of Champagne despair, and wandered over, “Hello there” he ventured, “uhm…hi” I stammered, “I would much rather prefer a beer” he said, thinking that was my cue to go fetch the aforementioned beer I nodded and was about to get him one when he held out the crystal flute full with Dom Pérignon, “I’ll let you have this, it’s really nice, just not me y’know” he said smiling, I took the glass, “Really??.. Oh I’ll get wrong for drinking on duty, so to speak”, “Well who’s watching?” he said looking around. He was right, who was watching? I had to taste it and especially in this setting, instead of sneaking it off to the kitchen to swig behind the dirty pots and pans, I daringly sipped with great concentration. I felt like Marilyn Monroe, only wearing an apron!
What did it taste like? It was magnificent; truly dreamy. A superlative’s paradise for explanation! Initially very smooth, with a subtle almond kick; not totally nutty but a creamy kind of nutty, almost biscuit like. It was so very smooth in the mouth, without any discernable tartness. I was expecting more of a fruity flavour but in fact it was quite the opposite, you could even describe it as savoury. Now obviously I had opened some of the bottles after admiring their dark bottle with the trademark ‘shield’ label. I could not see the Champagne through the darkness of the bottle but upon popping the cork (discreetly) and pouring, you can see the light wheat colour in all its glory. Now depending on the year and age, the colour can differ from bottle to bottle as does the taste. Younger bottles are of a more fruity texture to the older more (what’s been described as) ‘toasty’ ones. All this in what seemed an awfully long time but could have only been thirty seconds of decadence and daring.
Now I couldn’t possibly tell you the price that was paid for the bottle in which my glass originated from, but after five minutes internet research you can pay between 60-140 GBP for one bottle of a 1992 vintage or 143 GBP for a Magnum (2 bottles). Obviously you will have to be careful where you buy your Dom Pérignon from as the prices differ tremendously from site to site. I haven't tasted Dom Pérignon since that night but I shall always remember my very first taste of Dom Pérignon and I don’t think it could be beaten. It's all in the setting!
Dom Perignon Nectar of champagnes... far from accessible Everyone knows Dom Perignon... or at least the name How many have already tried? I had the occasion, once, two years ago, I still remember it. It is said that one cannot have opinion on once. It is however what happened. Everything started in a great restaurant in London, where my manager “invited me to a diner with friends. The environment was very pleasant, the atmosphere really cool, my ... ...now), decided to try some Dom P. All the ceremonial follows. The sommelier, all in black, with his white-shinning-towel on the arm, presented us the bottle:
Dom Perignon 1995 if you please (1995 is supposed to be an excellent vintage!)
We were really impatient to taste this amazing product
The cork leaves in a small and discrete POF (no needs to bring attention to us)
The precious liquid slips along the crystal flutes (Dom Perignon ones, of course)
...
baghera_snake 05.03.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Dom Perignon Champagne
Advantages: Cut above the Rest Disadvantages: not worth the extra cost
Background:
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Dom Perignon was the 17th century Benedictine monk who has gone down in history as the person who invented Champagne. His name was originally registered by Eugene Mercier. He sold the brand name to Moet & Chandon, which uses it as its prestige champagne
Tasting!
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I have tried a good few (read: too many!) Champagnes in the last few years and recently had a bottle of the good stuff, a 1998 Dommy.
My mother ... ...b'day so like all good wine connoisseurs we decided to pit our taste buds aginst it.
First the bottle. A touch of class resides in the label with little (read none) information given to the grapes used or other. However the label does stand out compared to others with its shield like style.
(Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are used in roughly equal proportions by the way)
Pouring out, a soft yellow wine appeared, with, of course, the finest bubbles ...
neil1424 31.03.2006
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Advantages: Good range, high quality, reasonable price range Disadvantages: Generally expensive with the cheapest around twenty quid, occasional drink
the types of champagnes and historical information was obtained from of official site of Moet & Chandon at www.moet.com
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