Champagne is the name of the world's most famous Sparkling wine, the appellation under which it is sold and the French wine region from which it comes. Although it has been used to refer to sparkling wines around the world - a point of controversy and legal wrangling in recent decades - Champagne is a legally controlled and restricted name. See the labels of Champagne wines. The fame and success of Champagne is, of course, the product of many Complex factors.
Yet there are three main reasons we can be reasonably certain of. First, the large bubbles, which distinguish it from less "exciting" wines. Second, the high prices that champagne commands, which give it a sense of exclusivity and uniqueness. Third, two centuries of clever marketing to a willing and very receptive consumer base.
Philippe Schaus, chairman and chief executive of the Moët Hennessy division of LVMH, called Joseph Phelps Vineyards ‘an iconic name and an iconic winery’. Joseph Phelps founded his eponymous winery on a 260ha former cattle ranch in Napa Valley in 1973. He turned it into one of California’s most prominent producers, famed for its flagship Insignia – a Bordeaux-style blend – and its pioneering use of Rhône varieties, which kick-started the ‘Rhône Rangers’ movement in the Golden State. The founder’ ...
Claude took over Champagne Taittinger, which was founded by his father Pierre Taittinger in 1932, in 1960 following the death of his brother, François. He served first as managing director and then president of the company until 2005. During his tenure, he grew Champagne Taittinger from a niche label into a brand with international scale. Moreover, as one of the pioneers of the broader Champagne category’s international success during the 20th century, Claude has been credited with taking France ...
The De Marchi family established the 56ha estate back in 1956, and it is now firmly established as one of the region’s leading producers. Isole e Olena played a key role in reviving the quality of Chianti in the 1970s, and its flagship wine – Cepparello, a barrique-aged Sangiovese from old vines – is regarded as one of the original Super Tuscans. A Piedmont lawyer called Francesco De Marchi founded the business, but his visionary son – Paulo De Marchi – has driven its rise to prominence. He is r ...