News

Is this the most beautiful Champagne bottle in the world?

28 November 2022 By Sarah Neish

Just 1,000 bottles are available of Cuvée Karma 2016, the prestige fizz belonging to Champagne brand Victor & Charles; each one sporting a genuine diamond with its own authentication certificate.

The 2016 vintage of Cuvée Karma has officially launched, with no expense spared by parent brand Victor & Charles. The goal of the fledgling Champagne label, which launched in 2021, is to bring to market “the most beautiful bottle of Champagne in the world”.

To that end, each bottle of Cuvée Karma is adorned with rose-gold pewter and inlaid with a genuine diamond, accompanied by an ID certificate issued by the High Council of Diamonds.

Such sparkle could perhaps be expected from a company whose founder is based in Antwerp, the diamond capital of the world. With 84% of the world’s rough diamonds and 50% of cut diamonds passing through this Belgian city, it has long been associated with diamond dealers, high-end jewellery houses and beautiful people dripping in twinkling gems.

It seems as though Cuvée Karma’s efforts to shine have paid off, with the brand winning a Bronze award in the premium and luxury fine wines and Champagne category of this year’s prestigious Pentawards. The extremely covetable bottle design beat off stiff competition from the likes of Dom Pérignon, Penfolds Grange and Veuve Cliquot to take home the accolade.

Brand owner Filip Mertens says: “I created Victor & Charles in 2016 to honour my father Charles and grandfather Victor, who were great epicureans. With a tiny production each year of just 36,000 bottles, only the finest wine boutiques and restaurants are selected to present these Champagnes to an exclusive clientèle.”

Mertens, who previously worked with Champagne Pommery and Champagne Lallier, thanked branding agency We Want More for understanding his “crystal clear vision” and creating the impressive design in just three months.

Priced at €525 until 30 November, and €575 thereafter, Cuvée Karma 2016 is made from a blend of 60% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier. It is a zero-dosage style, meaning it contains less than 3g/l of sugar, with grapes hailing from Victor & Charles-owned vineyards in the crus of Damery, Grauves, Mancy and Hautvillers. According to the brand, Cuvée Karma 2016 will age well in the bottle for at least ten years.

Cuvée Karma 2016 is available through victorandcharles.com

SWR: lighter bottles for entry level wines is 'the wrong message'

Ribera del Duero challenges 'out of date' perceptions in UK market