Dom Perignon is not just a bottle of champagne. It’s also a symbol of indulgence, luxury, and wealth.
The moment you see the label, which is based on an old 17th-century design, and the bottle, you will know you are in for something special.
This champagne is a popular choice among wine collectors and critics. Even corporate gifts are a great idea!
What are the prices for the different vintages? Is it worth buying a Dom Perignon as an investment?
Explore everything you need to know about Dom Perignon, from its past to its unique winemaking processes. From the retail and auction prices to which Dom Perignon bottles are best to buy in 2023.
Discover how to store, buy, and sell Dom Perignon Champagne the easy way!
What is Dom Perignon?
Dom Perignon is a French Champagne produced by Moet & Chandon, a winemaker, and co-owner of the luxury goods company Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton or LVMH.
LVMH also owns the Mercier and Krug Champagne houses, as well as the Ruinart and Veuve Clicquot Champagne Houses. It’s named for Dom Pierre Perignon, a Benedictine monk from the 17th century who made significant contributions to Champagne wine production even though the region was primarily red wine.
Let’s examine all the reasons why you should buy this wine.
Dom Perignon Champagne Investment Potential and Prices
Dom Perignon is a highly sought-after vintage by wine collectors around the world. This prestigious Champagne has an aging potential that can last for over 20 years.
The wine critics consistently give this symbol of luxury high marks. The 2008 Dom Perignon Vintage – the final release of winemaker Richard Geoffroy as Chef de Cave – scored 95+ by Robert Parker and Wine Spectator and was dubbed the “finest launch since the 96 vintage.”
The high production of vintage Dom Perignon Champagne makes it one of the most investable wines despite its unwavering image.
Price Appreciation Over Time
The price of the 1993 Dom Perignon Plenitude Brut increased by 1,308% between November 2021 and April 2023 — from $346 up to $4,870. The 2010 Dom Perignon Brut’s value has risen from $188 to $281 between October 2021 and August 2023, a rise of over 49%.
It is recession-proof as an investment. When the stock market crashed in 2008 and 2009, the average price for a Dom Perignon dropped by only 0.6%.
Dom Perignon At Auctions
The performance of DP at auctions was nothing less than stellar.
The Shah of Iran ordered several bottles in 1971 for the celebration of the Persian Empire’s 2,500th anniversary. In 2008, one of these bottles sold for more than $38,000 at auction.
In 2004, three bottles of 1921 DP vintage wines from the private cellars of Doris Duke sold for more than $24,000.
In 2010, in the UK, a 6-liter Methuselah Dom Perignon Champagne Rose Gold 1996 was sold for $52,500.
A 30-bottle collection of Dom Perignon’s Oenotheque rose was auctioned for more than $170,000 in 2020. This set a new world record for the sale of vintage champagne.
Vintages
Each bottle of Dom Perignon is made up of grapes harvested within a specific year. There has never been a Dom Perignon Champagne that is not vintage.
The Champagne house does not declare a vintage during poor years. Between 1921 and 2013, only 46 white wines were released.
Dom Perignon releases its own matured bottles, aged in three stages of maturation, under the name Plenitude.
The first batch of “P1” is nine years old. The second “P2”, on the other hand, is 20 years old. The third batch, “P3,” is between 30 and 40 years old.
Composition
Dom Perignon is always made from a blend of Chardonnay grapes and Pinot Noir grapes, with slight variations in compositions for each vintage.
In general, 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir grapes are used, but it can be 60:40 or 40:60 depending on the vintage.
Dom Perignon, unlike other Champagne producers, does not use Pinot Meunier to make the wines.
Dom Perignon Winemaking
How a fine Dom Perignon is made:
Hautvillers, Cote des Blancs, Montagne de Reims (Grand Cru), and Cote des Blancs (Premier Cru) are the best vineyards in Champagne.
Vine pruning is only done in the morning. The vines can’t grow higher than 3 feet.
First, fermentation and malolactic fermenting are done in stainless steel tanks with house-made yeast.
Each bottle is aged at least seven years before it is released on the market.
The best thing about Dom Perignon Champagne is that it’s readily available. It is made in huge quantities. Rumors say that up to five million bottles are produced each year.
Dom Perignon Champagne: 6 Interesting Facts
This wine is much more than just a spectacular wine.
Dom Pierre Perignon Didn’t Create Champagne Method (‘Methode Champenoise’)
Christopher Merrett discovered 30 years ago that adding sugar can initiate a second ferment.
The monks did some things differently besides blending the grapes to improve wine quality.
He mastered the art of making a white wine with a clear color from black grapes.
He increased the tendency for Champagne to retain sugar in order to induce secondary fermentation in spring.
He knew when to bottle wines in order to capture bubbles.
He used hemp strings soaked in oil instead of wood to fasten corks to bottles to keep wines sparkling and fresh.
He used thicker glasses to stop the bottles from exploding.
In the Champagne region, sparkling wine became the dominant wine style during the 19th century. This was more than 100 years after the death of the monk.
Rose Version Available
Since 1959, a rose version of the prestige Cuvee (from Pinot Noir) has been produced.
These rose vintages cost more than Dom Perignon’s standard.
The Champagne of Choice for a Royal Wedding
The wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 featured magnums Dom Perignon Vintage Champagne 1961.
Moet & Chandon’s “Oenotheque Release”
Until 1943, the Dom Perignon vintage was made using regular Moet & Chandon Vintage Champagne that was then transferred into 18th-century style bottles after extensive cellaring.
It was an “oenotheque bottling” release of Moet & Chandon Vintage Champagne in a new bottle. The word Oenotheque is a storage place for wine.
Dom Perignon 1947 has been produced in a separate production.
Pop Culture is Popular
Dom Perignon is often mentioned in popular culture. The following are some examples:
Songs by R&B and hip-hop artists like A Tribe Called Quest (A Tribe Called Quest), 50 Cent, Blue Drake, Future Nas, and Notorious B.I.G.
James Bond movies have also featured the iconic sparkling wine:
Dr. No: In “Dr. No,” the British agent refers to the 1953 vintage Dom Perignon and uses a 1955 vintage bottle as a weapon.
“Goldfinger: Bond, Jill Masterson, and a bottle of Dom Perignon’53 are ordered and consumed. Bond warns that the alcohol should not be consumed above 38 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ian Fleming also featured Dom Perignon in his novel “Moonraker.” James Bond drinks Dom Perignon 1946, which was recommended by Blades’ wine server during a dinner with M.
Dom Perignon and Lady Gaga’s collaboration is a masterpiece of artistry
Lady Gaga and Dom Perignon’s Second collaboration marked the release of Dom Perignon’s 2013 vintage Champagne after ten years of maturation.
The campaign highlighted parallels between winemaking and performance. Lady Gaga was shown at her piano with a troupe of dancers behind her.
The campaign and performance were a showcase of artistry. The movement reflected Dom Perignon’s shared vision and Lady Gaga’s creativity.