Moët & Chandon release wines from "cooler" 2008 vintage

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 20 July, 2016

Moët & Chandon has released its Grand Vintage Blanc and Grand Vintage Rosé from the 2008 vintage.

The new 2008 Blanc and Rosé are the 72^nd and 41^st releases in the champagne house's vintage history, which dates back to 1842.

According to Chef de Cave Benoît Gouez, head winemaker at Moët & Chandon since 2005, 2008 was one of the cooler years of the last decade with temperatures similar to 2004 and 1998.

"For me, 2008 is an oceanic vintage. The winter was mild, and the spring mostly rainy and grey. The summer was also cool and luckily dry as well. September was the key month though: the initial rains were swept away by a north-westerly wind that instilled an unwavering vigour in the three grape varietals, and a fresh and uncompromising acidity which is this year's defining characteristic," he said.

Harvest ran from September 12 to 27, with grapes at a high acid balance not seen since 1995 and 1996.

The Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Blanc 2008 is an assemblage of 40% Chardonnay, 37% Pinot Noir and 23% Meunier.

The Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Rosé 2008 (available from September) is a blend of 46% Pinot Noir (of which 20% is red wine), with 32% Chardonnay - a lower proportion than in previous vintages due to the acidity in the grapes - and 22% Meunier.

The rosé wine, Gouez said, is "vivid, brilliant deep pink in colour with a fine bead. A floral and fruity wine with notes of hawthorn, leading to a fresh palate with raspberry, cherry and blood orange flavours."

Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2008 is now available in the UK with an RRP of around £44.00, and the Grand Vintage Rosé 2008 at around £59.00.

The champagne house is also launching its Grand Vintage Trilogy Blanc, which will be available in the off-trade at RRP £173.00.

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