Moët Hennessy launches Chandon in the UK

Moët Hennessy is launching Chandon – a sparkling Argentine wine – in the U.K.  Chandon will be available in Majestic (as well as Gaucho restaurants) from 1^st May 2014, with two wines: Chandon Brut with a RRSP of £14.99; and Chandon Rosé with a RRSP of £15.99.

Chandon Argentina was Moët & Chandon’s first vineyard holding outside France.  The company was the first European wine producer to venture into the New World in 1957 when Count Robert Jean de Vogüe, president of Moët & Chandon, saw that there was extraordinary potential for developing vineyards and producing high quality sparkling wines beyond Champagne. This led his Oenologist Director at Möet & Chandon, Renaud Poirier to explore new terroirs for New World sparkling wine production. Between 1957 and 1959, Poirier conducted several oenological trials, convincing himself that Argentina, specifically the high altitude cool climate district of Agrelo in Mendoza, was the ideal place to locate Moët & Chandon’s first winery outside of France.  As a result Chandon Argentina was established in 1959.

Vineyards: grapes are sourced from Estate-owned Uco Valley vineyards (Finca El Yaima, Finca Caicayen and Finca Cepas del Plata) in the foothills of the Andes, between 1,100 & 1,550metres altitude

Vinification: Chandon Brut is a blend of 65% Chardonnay & 35% Pinot Noir and Chandon Rosé is a blend of 65% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 5% Malbec (for colour)

Méthode Traditionelle is used for both wines and their dosage is 6g/l

Both wines are based on the 2011 vintage, but also include 25% reserve wines from the 2010 vintage. Alcohol is 12.5%

Winemakers: The winemaking team behind Chandon includes Chef de Cave, Onofre Arcos and Senior Winemaker, Gustavo Sanchez.