The Story of Champagne Pommery

The House of Pommery began in 1869. Madame Pommery discovered she was expecting a child, at the age of 38. This miraculous pregnancy, more than 17 years after her first, would change the Pommery’s lives forever. To provide for his baby daughter, Mr Pommery decided to go back into business. But the wool industry was in crisis. However, the Champagne trade was booming…

In 1858, when she took over as head of Pommery et Greno upon her husband’s death, Madame Pommery began expanding her company with a focus on creating wines that were like no other. She was driven by the constant standard for extreme quality. She was aware of the importance of grape origin to wine quality; over the years, she built up one of the finest vineyards in Champagne.

In 1874, Pommery invented the Brut Champagne. “‘Damas, we need a wine that is as dry as possible, but without rigidity… It should be soft and velvety on the palate… Above all, make sure it has finesse’.”

It was a revolution in Champagne. It was met with sarcasm and disbelief. But it was an unprecedented success. Under Madame Pommery’s impetus, the Pommery style became known as ‘full of finesse and cheery lightness’. It can be tasted today in the Brut Royal and Cuvée Louise. It is always different, ever unique after slow ageing in the shadows of the chalk cellars.

Today, the estate measures 50 hectares, which is the equivalent of the Louvre, the Tuileries, and the Place de la Concorde combined. The buildings and landscaped gardens are just as fascinating to tourists as they are to art and architecture historians.

Shared by Adrian Beckett

www.champagnepommery.com