Johannesburg - Today is Champagne Day and The Saturday Star caught up with Moët & Chandon winemaker Amine Ghanem, who shared some tips and tricks.
With nearly two decades’ experience in the champagne industry and a passion for the world’s most celebratory drink, oenologist wine quality manager Amine Ghanem lives and breathes Moët & Chandon. Given his extensive champagne knowledge, we sat down with him to answer some pertinent questions ahead of Champagne Day.
You’ve worked for several champagne houses around the world before arriving at Moët & Chandon. What makes this Maison particularly special?
Moët & Chandon is widely known as the world’s most loved champagne, so my association with the House is a great honour. There are many reasons that make it “particularly special.” The Maison has spent almost 280 years both shaping and revolutionising the industry. Chosen in 1748 to supply the French royal court in Versailles, Moët & Chandon has become the very epitome of celebration with cuvées that have reached the pinnacle of fame in their own right. In the 18th century, our founder Jean-Rémy Moët set out to share the magic of champagne with the world and succeeded by crafting a range of unique wines for unique tastes and occasions, from the iconic Moët & Chandon Impérial to the Grand Vintage Collection. I’m fortunate to call this work and I practise my craft alongside some of the most esteemed winemakers and visionaries in the industry.
Of all its cuvées, why is Moët Impérial so legendary?
As the Maison’s signature cuvée, Moët & Chandon Impérial is its most comprehensive and universal expression. It has been the very incarnation of balance in champagne for over 150 years, flawlessly merging over 200 crus and mingling the full body of pinot noir with the suppleness of pinot meunier and the finesse of chardonnay.
More so than any champagne in the world, it has a star-studded fan base. Moët & Chandon Impérial was the name given to the House’s non-vintage brut champagne in homage to Moët & Chandon’s long-standing relationship with France’s imperial family. It has also been the favourite of stars such as film legends Kim Novak and Cary Grant, father of pop art Andy Warhol and has become the icon of podium celebrations at major sporting events.
Most of us have a basic knowledge of how to pair food and wine, but what can you tell us about champagne pairing?
The first thing I can tell you is that it’s not limited to caviar and oysters. Like wine, it depends very much on the inherent character of the champagne. Brut champagnes such as the Moët & Chandon Impérial and Moët & Chandon Impérial Rosé can be served throughout the meal, from apéritif to dessert. Moët & Chandon Impérial pairs very well with white fish and white fruits, while Moët & Chandon Impérial Rosé pairs really well with simple, intense, colourful flavours, such as red meat and fresh, red-fleshed fruits. Our demi-sec range includes Moët & Chandon Nectar and Moët Ice, both of them sweeter with a higher dosage. Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial has been boldly created to be enjoyed over ice and is ideal for the warm days and summer celebrations ahead in South Africa. We have an impressive Wine & Food Guide on our website where you can use the Ingredients Matrix to plan your flavour pairings.
The word “savoir-faire” is often used in connection to Moët & Chandon. How is it related?
“Savoir-faire” translates to know-how and finesse. But it means more than simply that in our case. It’s the kind of knowledge that results from centuries of practice; it’s why we are able to innovate as a Maison and break the rules backed up by depths of knowledge and respect for the wine.
For Moët & Chandon, savoir-faire is the cornerstone of our luminous reputation. It’s born in the Maison’s rich history – nearly 300 years is no small feat – its unparalleled wine making expertise and its craftsmanship. When we blend a new cuvée, it’s the result of access to the largest vineyards in Champagne, providing us with over 800 base wines to blend from. It’s thanks to a team of experts who bring tradition and innovation to each bottle and even further back, to the very pioneers of the house.
The jury is still out on how to correctly pronounce Moët… can you weigh in on the matter, please?
This has been a long-standing debate all over the world, with a few variations of how best to say the name. The correct pronunciation is “Mo-Wett”. The nay-sayers often assume that because it’s French it should be pronounced “Mo-Way”, but you can impress at your next dinner party and tell them that since the winery's founder – Claude Moët – was in fact of Dutch heritage, the pronunciation follows the Dutch accent. Mo-wett it is!
Can you explain what the terms “vintage” and “non-vintage” champagne mean?
I’d be happy to. Non-vintage champagnes are comprised of grapes harvested across multiple years (vintages). Meanwhile, vintage champagne can only be made from grapes harvested in one particular year and must spend a minimum of three years ageing on the lees (the sediment). Vintage champagnes offer the winemaker the opportunity to tell the unique story of that year and vintage through the champagne. Since 1842, the House has released 74 vintage champagnes and claims one of the world’s most prestigious vintage collections of champagne, all of which are safeguarded in the Grand Vintage Reserve cellars.
I’d say that if you’re looking for consistency in your champagne over other qualities, then non-vintage offers this, as the winemaker is able to blend many vintages and reserve wines to achieve that consistency every year.
Where will you be celebrating Champagne Day?
Champagne Day takes place October 28 this year. I will be celebrating in France, but having recently visited I know that South Africa will also be hosting the much-anticipated event of the year! My suggestion is that we raise our glasses in a collective toast and take a moment to celebrate important milestones as well as the everyday moments that matter.
About Moët & Chandon:
Moët & Chandon was founded in 1743 by Claude Moët and elevated to international renown by his descendant, Jean-Rémy Moët, who dreamt of “sharing the effervescence of Champagne with the world”. From royal court to red carpet, Studio 54 to Grand Slams, Moët & Chandon has been bringing people together around thrilling, extraordinary moments. With the largest, most diverse vineyards in the region.
The House offers a universal and versatile portfolio of champagnes for every occasion and palate. Easy to love, each creation – from the iconic Moët Impérial to the refined Grand Vintage Collection, the glamorous Moët Rosé Impérial to the refreshing Moët Ice Impérial – dazzles and delights with a broad spectrum of flavours and aromas to capture the astonishing breadth of its terroir. Through Natura Nostra, Moët & Chandon’s long-term sustainability programme, the House works to protect biodiversity in the region and, since 2009, Moët & Chandon also supports philanthropic initiatives through Toast for a Cause. For nearly three centuries, Moët & Chandon has been the champagne of choice to mark both significant events in history and personal celebrations, enhancing each toast with the spark of effervescence.