Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial

This is POP or FLOP, where every Wednesday we review a different sparkling wine from across the globe and let you know if it’s a bottle you should POP… or if it’s a FLOP! This week we’ve got Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial Champagne from France – in their super cute new #MiniMoet format! 😍 Who said bigger is always better?!

Moët & Chandon was established by Claude Moët (obviously!) in 1743, and today is a globally recognized champagne brand synonymous with elegance, Napoleon, and the invention of sabrage – the art of sabering the tops off Champagne bottles. The Champagne house also holds a royal warrant to supply Champagne to Queen Elizabeth II… I mean, who wouldn’t want to clink glasses with Liz? Moët & Chandon has been a Sparkling Winos staple for years (making it a perfect choice for our first Champagne review). But, we know we are not alone in our enjoyment of this effervescent wine – Moët & Chandon produces a staggering 28 million bottles of Champagne every year!

Moët Imperial is the house’s flagship Champagne – and owes its name to short, feisty and somewhat divisive French leader, Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon awarded Jean-Rémy Moët (the founder’s grandson) the medal of the Légion d’honneur (one of France’s highest honours) back in the early 1800’s. Rumour has it that Napoleon invented the tradition of sabrage by sabering Moët Imperial to celebrate his victory in France! We felt his presence during our private tasting at the Moët & Chandon estate in Epernay, France. And no, we didn’t see a short ghost saber a Champagne bottle, but we did sip Moët & Chandon’s suite of bubbles inside Napoleon’s Chamber Room. Santé!

Appearance

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Pale harvest straw colour, with a vibrant stream of very fine persistent perlage (a fancy word for bubbles 😜).

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Aroma

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Fresh baked brioche bun, tree fruits (apple/pear), white flowers, almond croissant and a hint of citrus.

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Flavour

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Baked apple, fresh pastry and a lingering citrus finish. Deliciously rich and complex. Dry and medium bodied with a refreshing acidity.

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Food Pairing

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Drink this with oysters or sushi, a savoury cheese puff pastry, or herbed chicken with grilled vegetables. Or on it’s own – cuz nothing pairs better with Champagne than more Champagne! 😍

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The Verdict?

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It’s a POP! There’s a reason why Moët Imperial is one of the most iconic Champagne’s out there – what’s on the inside of the bottle is just as beautiful as what’s on the outside. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, or just treating yourself, you can never go wrong with Moët & Chandon. It’s rich, glamorous and vibrant – and will leave you feeling that way too, so go ahead and pour yourself another glass! 😉

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$$$

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30-40% Pinot Noir, 30-40% Pinot Meunier, 20-30% Chardonnay
Region: Champagne, France
Alcohol: 12.0%
Sugar: 14 g/L
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