Moët Grand Vintage named ‘Official Champagne’ of Royal Ascot

Ascot Racecourse has announced a new four-year partnership that will see Moët & Chandon’s Grand Vintage become the official Champagne of the racing event.

Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage will be the ‘Official Champagne of Royal Ascot’, and Moët & Chandon the ‘Official Champagne of Ascot’, as part of a new four-year sponsorship that will run from 2019 to 2022.

Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage, made only in exceptional years, will be available at Moët & Chandon bars across the racecourse for the duration of Royal Ascot this June, and at one permanent bar, Pall Mall by Moët & Chandon, during the Flat season.

Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage will also be the only Champagne to be served to official guests of the Ascot Authority on race days and will hold naming rights to the International Handicap Stakes on King George Day in July.

Especially interesting is Moët’s decision to showcase its Grand Vintage Champagne at the event, alongside its wider portfolio, a cuvée more often reserved for collectors and enthusiasts and rarely showcased at large-scale events due to its limited nature. The last Grand Vintage released was the 2012, which retails at around £45 and is made from a blend of 41% Chardonnay, 26% Meunier and 33% Pinot Noir, with a dosage of 5g/l.

Speaking about the Grand Vintage offering, Benoît Gouez, cellar master at Moët & Chandon, said: “We are honoured to bring Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage, a champagne of distinguished character, to Royal Ascot and Ascot. Every Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage is an ode to a unique and original harvest, blending that year’s most remarkable wines according to my freedom of interpretation in respect of the individuality of each vintage. I am delighted that guests will be savouring it, perhaps for the first time, at such a prestigious and iconic event. Ascot and Moët & Chandon already share a long-standing legacy filled with exceptional celebratory moments. We are thrilled to finally be coming together and look forward to creating many more in the years to come”.

As well as being poured at Royal Ascot restaurants and bars, Moët & Chandon Champagnes will be listed on private box menus and as part of the package within the Parade Ring Restaurant for the duration of Royal Ascot.

For the ultimate Moët & Chandon luncheon, guests within the Royal Enclosure can enjoy a Moët & Chandon Champagne lunch, with Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage, plus additional cuvées from the Moët & Chandon range, paired with a selection of food from Ascot’s fine dining restaurants whilst enjoying views across the track.

Juliet Slot, commercial director at Ascot, welcomed the new relationship: “Moët & Chandon is a name steeped in history, like Ascot, and we are delighted to be working with a brand which shares so many of our values. Bringing Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage uniquely as our Official Champagne of Royal Ascot was an important facet of the deal. The full range we are offering in partnership with Moët & Chandon will ensure we deliver the premium brand experience expected by customers site-wide.”