Moët & Chandon launches 2012 vintage

Champagne Moët & Chandon has released its 2012 ‘Grand Vintage’, the 74^th vintage release from the house and one that reportedly rises above the problems presented by the growing season.

According to Benoit Gouez, Moët’s cellar master: “2012 was an unprecedented year in the records of winemaking.  So many trials and tribulations and yet such promising results.  Nature treated the vineyards to almost every form of meteorological disaster.

“Frost in winter, front in early spring, frost in late spring, torrential rains, hailstorms, a cold spell during flowering and, finally, scalding heat and water shortages in late summer all put the vines and vintners to the test. Nevertheless, thanks to a reversal of fortune that could only happen in Champagne, one month later there was talk of this being one of the great vintages!”

The final assemblage is 41% Chardonnay, 26% Meunier and 33% Pinot Noir and a dosage of 5g/l.

Gouez continued: “The wines made from black grapes, especially the usually fragile Meunier, were particularly good in 2012, which explains why they make up an important part of the assemblage.

“For once, Chardonnay is slightly in the background and for me this Grand Vintage is a softly fresh and harmonious wine that reveals itself slowly.”