In the Champagne region, on the southern slope of the Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park, in the area known as the Grande Vallée de la Marne, lies Hautvillers, an enchanting village that tells the story of an ancient tradition: viticulture.

Here, where time seems to stand still, you’ll find the historic Benedictine abbey “L’Abbaye Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers”, a harmony between physical and spiritual landscape, where space and time merge in perfect balance, offering an authentic experience.
 

Just a little further on, the Church of Saint-Sindulphe houses the tomb of Abbot Dom Pierre Pérignon, “le Père spirituel du Champagne.”

Continuing along Rue de l’Église, skirting the monastery, we are greeted by a magnificent view of the valley, an amphitheater of vineyards overlooking the Marne River, whose majestic course graces this place of peace and prayer...

The story of these walls takes us back to the distant year of 1668, guiding us on a journey through the imagination, of what can no longer be fully seen, but is brought to life in our minds through the accounts of those who reconstruct a past that still breathes.

The Abbey was founded in 650 by Saint Nivard, Archbishop of Reims, and what remains of the historic building,destroyed and rebuilt several times, was classified as a historic monument in 1983. In 2012, the cloister was restored, and the long-lost Saint Helena gate was faithfully rebuilt. 

The fields surrounding it, where the Benedictine monks cultivated vines according to the rule of ora et labora, are still there today.

Since 2023, new excavations have been underway to uncover remnants of the Abbey’s ancient structures and to create new spaces, always in harmony with the original setting.

Welcoming us inside the monastery, majestic imperial tables in their simplicity, adorned with an ethereal mise en place, create an atmosphere of beauty and lightness. Crystal glasses line up in succession for a sparkling celebration of aromas, conveying joy and conviviality—the common thread of every celebration where Champagne takes center stage.

A knowledgeable guide, Vincent Chaperon, Chef de Cave of Dom Pérignon, leads us with passion and expertise on this journey made of sips of history—stories of ancient wisdom that has evolved over time, yet remains deeply rooted. Each cuvée is masterfully paired with a “flight” designed to highlight and enhance the character of the vintage, because every harvest is a creation that expresses, in its own way, a singular identity.

Flight 1 – “Elegant and Aerial Vintage”
2013, 2004, 2004 P2, 1993, 1993 Œnothèque, 1992
Timeless elegance: the charm of vintage Champagne meets contemporary expression. A perfect balance of power and grace, brightness and depth, with a sensation of freshness and pure, precise minerality. Silky texture, vibrant and balanced acidity. Long and persistent finishes. Champagnes that elevate the senses with refinement and finesse.

Flight 2 – “Warm, Solar, Generous, Structured Vintage”
2015, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2003, 2003 P2, 1999, 1995, 1995 Œnothèque
Aromatic vintages: generosity and density. Full-bodied with surprising aromatic persistence, rightly savory and succulent, with a softness that enhances the tactile sensation of viscosity and richness. Generous bouquet, rich and creamy on the palate. Well-balanced acidity contrasts the richness of the texture. A balance of vibrancy and indulgence. A deep and enveloping sensory experience.

Flight 3 – “Cool, Luminous and Precise Vintage”
2008, 1996, 1996 P2, 1988
Freshness, precision, and luminosity: the interplay of three dimensions. Vibrant acidity and crisp texture evoke sensations of energy and vitality. Long-lasting with a complex and articulated structure. Vintages that enchant the senses.

Flight 4 – “Complete and Harmonious Vintage”
2012, 2006, 2006 P2, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1990, 1985, 1983, 1983 P3, 1982
Symphonies orchestrated by nature and perfected by human hands. A sensory journey that celebrates the essence of the land and the art of winemaking. Deeper, more intense tones with layered, complex bouquets. Aromas and flavors expressed and perfected over time. Elegant effervescence contributes to freshness. Full, rich, enveloping structure. Well-integrated acidity. A balance that creates a pleasantly harmonious experience. A celebration of complexity and luxury.

Vintage 2010
“The first vintage signed by Chef de Cave Vincent Chaperon”

The 2010 vintage was born of a climatically challenging year, with a harsh winter, the coldest since 1996, and a cold, dry spring. In mid-August, it rained for two days. Heat followed, allowing the grapes to ripen with good sugar accumulation and phenolic compounds, achieving an intense balance of sweetness and acidity. However, harvest rains favored botrytis development, especially in Pinot Noir. Meanwhile, the Chardonnay grapes, perfectly ripe, offered richness, concentration, and balance, the best in 30 years.

Thanks to Vincent’s intuition, along with the quick reaction and dedication of his team, the best parcels were saved and the two varietals blended. The result is Dom Pérignon Vintage 2010: a harmonious balance of richness and freshness, and one of the few vintages that dared to tell its story. Over time, the greatness of this vintage has revealed itself, a triumph of savoir-faire and Vincent Chaperon’s experience.

The nose is rich, with tropical notes of pineapple and mango, along with apricot and peach, enriched by citrus nuances of citron, bergamot, and orange zest that create a deep, synergistic impression. A final delicate floral touch of jasmine. On the palate, elegant bubbles and a harmonious fusion of ripe fruit and spicy notes create an enveloping sip. Well-balanced acidity brings freshness. A magnificent, savory, and long finish.

Minerality, complexity, texture, intensity, precision: this is Dom Pérignon!

                 

Dom Pérignon is an invitation into a universe of tactile sensations, from the gaze enchanted by the beauty of a timeless place, to the hearing seduced by the elegant notes of effervescence that accompany each sip, to the sense of smell stirred by the generous aromas released by the glasses, exalting both the power and the finesse of an inimitable bouquet. And then touch, in dialogue with taste, resides on the palate, because it is there that it is perceived, as “it derives from the way Dom Pérignon touches, from the way Dom Pérignon caresses, because taste is not ‘taste’, it is ‘touch’. It’s Old French, and everyone used to speak not of tasting wine, but of touching it.”

While it may be a legend that credits the famous monk with the invention of Champagne, what is certain is that Dom Pérignon played a vital role in the development and refinement of this great wine, leaving us a priceless legacy, Champagne, the perfect synthesis of history, art, and taste.

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Tags: Dom Pérignon, Hautvillers, Vincent Chaperon