Louis Vuitton 2011 Annual Report Download - page 81

LVMH 2011
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Maisons
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WINES & SPIRITS
The Ardbeg Distillery, founded in 1815,
was acquired in 1997. It is revered by con-
noisseurs as “The Ultimate Islay Malt” –
the peatiest, smokiest and most complex
whisky distilled on the island.
MERCIER
— Since 1858 —
Maison Mercier, founded in 1858 by
Eugène Mercier, is one of the great names
in champagne. Throughout its history,
inspired by its visionary founder, this
House has created a great wine estate and
established lasting relations with grape
growers in Champagne to ensure a supply
of quality grapes. It has participated in the
collective process to define the “Appellation
d’Origine Contrôlée Champagne”. Enriched
by its history, Maison Mercier is a guardian
of the “champagne” spirit that shines
around the world.
Eugène Mercier took a bold gamble—to
offer champagne of great quality to the
greatest number. By participating in the
great World Exhibitions of the 19th century
and conducting brilliant advertising cam-
paigns, Eugène Mercier worked to catch
the public imagination.
The fresh, fruity, intense and spontane-
ous Mercier vintages fashioned by Christophe
Bonnefond, cellar master for the House,
reflect this authentic and generous spirit.
DOM PÉRIGNON
— Since 1936 —
When Pierre Pérignon took over as cel-
lar master at the Benedictine Abbey of
Hautvillers in 1668, his mission was “to
make the best wine in the world”.
This lofty ambition revealed a visionary
spirit in this young monk just 30 years old.
An exact contemporary of Louis XIV,
Pierre Pérignon transformed the history of
wine, just as the Sun King revolutionized
the “art of living”.
The excellence of “Father Pérignon’s
wine” earned it a place at the Court of
Versailles through the suppliers for the Sun
King.
Today, the Maison of Dom Pérignon
continues the work of the man considered
to be the spiritual father of champagne.
Each new vintage is a unique creation,
an exceptional moment which only the
Chef de Cave may declare.
“The grapes are never the same from
one year to the next. If a harvest does not
meet Dom Pérignon’s standards, there will
be no vintage champagne that year. This
isn’t a value judgment, but an aesthetic
vision,” says Dom Pérignon Chef de Cave
Richard Georoy.
This determination to create only
vintage champagne, the absolute standard
of Dom Pérignon is born of this creative
commitment.
Dom Pérignon is the point of balance
where precise style and the distinctive
qualities of a year intersect to offer an
unparalleled sensation of lightness and
fluidity, from the first impression to the
final aroma. Dom Pérignon continues to
inspire creative winemakers with a vision
and the creative imagination of Dom
Pérignon is reinvented with each new
vintage.
WENJUN
— Since 1951 —
Chinese white spirit or ‘BaiJiu’ is the
largest distilled spirit category in the world
and has a tradition dating back over
5000 years to the beginning of Chinese
history. Quality ‘BaiJiu’ is indispensable on
special occasions, when celebrating festi-
vals, receiving guests, or for artistic inspira-
tion. With an increase in focus on quality of
life, there has been a commensurate increase
in demand for high-end ‘BaiJiu’.
Wenjun’s history dates back over
2000 years to the Han dynasty and Zhuo
Wenjun. Her colourful life is well known
to Chinese to this day, as much for her
courage and passion as for position as
China’s first historically recorded crafter of
well regarded, fragrant ‘BaiJiu’.