How much is that bubbly in the window?

100 years ago, during the 1911 harvest, Moët & Chandon’s chief vigneron enthusiastically noted “année mémorable!” Prophetic words indeed: that year’s grapes were transformed into a legendary wine, Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Collection 1911.

  100 years later, Moët & Chandon have released 11 luxurious, limited-edition coffrets of six bottles of Grand Vintage Collection 1911, one of which will be available exclusively at Harrods at a cost of £65,000.  Wine connoisseurs will be able to view this exquisite historic offering in the Harrods Wine Department from November 2011.

  For a truly extraordinary wine like Grand Vintage Collection 1911, greatness begins with the fruit itself – and the year’s conditions were perfect. Even then, the House knew that 1911 would go down in history as a wine of exceptional quality, both bold and elegant. As Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Collection 1911 matured it soon took its place as one of the House’s most distinguished champagnes, meriting the rarely-bestowed descriptive: inclassifiable, unclassifiable, of such incomparable excellence that it is in a category all its own. 

  After experiencing this legendary wine at Moët & Chandon in Epernay earlier this year in July 2011, Tom Stevenson, one of the world’s foremost champagne experts, said: “Tasting this outstanding wine was an enormous privilege. Although a champagne of this age would usually be a copper brown, Grand Vintage Collection 1911 is a beautiful pale yellow gold. The nose is still floral and fruity and after a century, it’s still bubbly on the palate! Grand Vintage Collection 1911 is a superb vintage champagne, both elegantly mature and deliciously lively!

  Champagne expert Richard Juhlin, who tasted with Tom, said: “Grand Vintage Collection 1911 is one of the most memorable champagnes I have ever tasted—a moving experience, absolutely ‘mind blowing’! The bouquet is profound and the flavour is exceptional, lively and complex with a finish that is pure perfection. A magnificent champagne!”

  Benoît Gouez, Moët & Chandon Chef de Cave, is equally enthusiastic. “Absolutely stunning champagne—an inspiration! After one hundred years, Grand Vintage Collection 1911 literally overflows with vitality and energy, plus the charm of discreet bubbles. A wonderfully complex wine with both impressive depth and amazing freshness, an unrivalled champagne experience!”