Who are the faces behind the great champagne houses?

The great champagne houses are known throughout the world for their quality and prestige. Often sabered to celebrate great occasions, champagne is the alcohol synonymous with parties par excellence. If you have ever wondered who are the founders behind these prestigious houses, I invite you to discover it in my article!

 Who are behind the success of the great champagne houses?

Veuve Clicquot is one of the oldest champagne houses, founded in 1772. The brand is named after its founder, Philippe Clicquot, and his wife, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin. In 1805, the widow Clicquot took over the reins of the company after the death of her husband and became one of the first women to run a company in France. Under her leadership, the company experienced a dazzling success and became one of the most famous in the world.

Moët & Chandon is another great champagne house founded in 1743 by Claude Moët. The brand was quickly adopted by the royal courts of Europe and became very popular with the aristocrats of the 19th century. Today, Moët & Chandon is an integral part of the LVMH group, one of the world’s largest luxury conglomerates.

Laurent-Perrier dates back to 1812, created by André Michel Pierlot, it took the name of Veuve Laurent-Perrier when Mathilde Emilie Perrier, widow of Eugène Laurent decided to combine the two family names while she was developing it. Eugénie Hortense Laurent, her daughter, inherited the company in 1925 and sold it to Marie-Louise de Nonancourt, née Lanson, in 1939.

Charles Lafitte & Co is a small family business founded in 1834 by Charles Lafitte. The company produces mainly red wines but also has some champagnes in its range. Charles Lafitte wines are known for their exceptional quality and have been served several times at the table of the French president François Mitterrand.

Alfred Gratien is a small family owner since 1864 located in Epernay. They produce one million bottles each year of which 60% are exported to 40 different countries on all continents. The Gratien style is characterized as being fine, fruity with many floral aromas. There are 3 ranges: Cuvée Paradis, Saphir and Emeraude, each with its own personality.

The House of Deutz was created in 1838 in Ay, by two Prussian emigrants William Deutz and Peirre-Hubert Geldermann. They developed the estate by purchasing high quality vineyards. The Deutz family has always been very involved in the life of the Champagne community, and today it is Jean-Michel Deutz who runs the family business. Jean-Michel is truly passionate about champagne, and it shows in his creations. Deutz champagnes are elegant and refined, with a beautiful complexity.

Perrier Jouët is one of the most prestigious champagne houses, founded in 1811 in Epernay. The brand is particularly known for its magnificent Belle Epoque cuvée, decorated with a gold anchor on each bottle. This special cuvée is created as a tribute to Émile Gallice, one of the founders of the Perrier Jouët house. Émile was a passionate sailor, and he traveled the world in search of the best grapes for his champagnes. Today, it is Laurent and Hubert Gouez who run the house of Perrier Jouët with the same passion and commitment as Emile Gallice did so many years ago.

Dom Pérignon is one of the most famous champagne houses in the world, founded in 1668 by Pierre Pérignon in the abbey of Hautvillers, near Épernay. The house owes its name to its founder, Dom Pierre Pérignon, who was a Benedictine monk and cellarer at the abbey. He was responsible for many innovations in winemaking, including the use of corks to seal bottles and the blending of different grape varieties to create unique wines. Today, Dom Pérignon is owned by LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE and is headed by Richard Geoffroy, who has been with the company since 1990.

All these houses have proven that they deserve their fame, rooted for generations and generations, they do not often leave room for future generations.

Grande Charte is a luxury biodynamic champagne house that deserves to be known!

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