On Wednesday, December 7th, a very select group of people around the world had the opportunity, for the first time in Dom Pérignon history, to witness winemaker Richard Geoffroy make a global vintage declaration for the Dom Pérignon 2003 Vintage.

Normally declarations are done in the privacy of the Chateau, but on this occasion, celebrations in Tokyo, Hong Kong, London, Paris and New York took place simultaneous and were joined together via live stream. Guests in all five cities were able to preview the wine together while Geoffroy joined via hologram from Epernay.

“The year 2003 has remained in the collective memory of all wine producers in France, and in the Champagne region; it is a vintage that was a real challenge to create, said Geoffroy. “The frost, the spring and those famous nights of the 7th to the 11th of April, which will forever leave their mark on the people of Champagne. There was a small harvest, especially in the Chardonnay areas, and then a really hot, blistering summer. The result: an early crop, a very mature and very healthy grape harvest, bliss. And yes, we had to produce a Dom Pérignon of that vintage; there was never the slightest doubt that it would be produced, that we would take the risk. That is at the very heart of Dom Pérignon’s values.”

The New York tasting event took place at 9am at Skylight West. After Geoffroy’s declaration, guests were treated to a tasting of the 2003 with bite pairings specially selected by Geoffroy himself.

The year 2003 was a year troubled with a frosted spring and a summer heat wave resulting in one of the earliest harvests since 1822. Very few other champagnes were made making the 2003 Vintage extremely special.

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