Moët & Chandon epitomises champagne excellence, with a heritage extending over 280 years. As the world’s most cherished champagne brand, its esteemed reputation is founded on deep-rooted expertise and tradition. Ahead of Champagne Day on 25 October 2024, we sat down with Moët & Chandon Chef de Cave, Benoît Gouez. Having steered the Maison’s winemaking since 2005, he reflects on the central theme of savoir-faire in champagne production and how the Maison’s ability to blend tradition, craftsmanship and modern innovation has continued well beyond its inception.
As Chef de Cave for Moët & Chandon, Benoît carries the responsibility of guiding the Maison into the future, while staying true to the ethos and history. According to Benoît, “An important part of the success of Moët & Chandon has been the House’s ability to balance authenticity and modernity, continuously breathing new life into our rich heritage, tuning into the spirit of the times while staying one step ahead,” Benoît explains.
This balance is achieved by preserving trusted traditions and incorporating them with modern advancements. Benoît highlights that the Maison’s vineyards and pressing centres are at the heart of this balance. “It is in our state-of-the-art cuverie, equipped with stainless steel vats for fermenting and maturing of the wines, that Moët & Chandon begins the process of turning the fruit of the harvest into some of the world’s finest champagnes,” he says. This commitment to cutting-edge technology while maintaining a hands-on approach to viticulture allows Moët & Chandon to produce bespoke champagne that is consistently high quality, responding to the diversity of the grapes, vineyards, and vintages.
For Moët & Chandon, innovation is not about reinventing the wheel but rather refining the craft of producing champagne, with the help of modern technology. Benoît describes the House’s approach as one of “customised, adaptable oenology,” where the goal is to preserve the natural diversity of the grapes while guiding the winemaking process with a light touch. “We do not force Nature; we guide her. Champagne is as much a product of nature as it is the result of the winemaker’s savoir-faire,” says Benoît. Each cuvée is individually tailored, ensuring consistency through careful control, adjustment, and adaptation. Further to this, Moët & Chandon’s forward-thinking approach is underpinned by a dedicated research and development department (R&D), which researches new production methods and addresses their environmental impact. “We are the only House to have an R&D laboratory that employs 30 people dedicated to studying viticulture or working on oenological projects, researching new ways to do things differently and better, and facing new challenges related to climate change and sustainable viticulture,” Benoît explains. “We are therefore constantly thinking about how to adapt and evolve.” This process that weaves technical expertise and emotional sensitivity drives the rest of the Maison’s progress and it’s clear that the foundation of their success also lies in a profound respect for nature. Working with, not against, the environment is key. This is why over 20 years ago, Moët & Chandon took a major step towards tackling environmental and climate challenges, a move that eventually led to the Natura Nostra program.
Since then they have been committed to sustainable viticulture, recognising the fragility of their natural heritage and biodiversity. What began in 2001 with the Maison reassessing its practices, became achieving ISO-14001 certification in 2007 and double certification in sustainable viticulture and Haute Valeur Environnementale in 2014. This led to a fundamental shift within the Maison and soon changed their entire approach to the environment, ecosystem and biodiversity. Through its Natura Nostra program, Moët & Chandon is now leading efforts to protect and enhance biodiversity across the entire Champagne region, ensuring its legacy for future generations. Natura Nostra is a collective action for greater biodiversity in Champagne. “As the leader in champagne, Moët & Chandon has a responsibility to protect local flora and fauna,” says Benoît. “Natura Nostra, the Maison’s large-scale agroecology program, is a movement for the future of the Champagne region.”
What’s clear is that while Moët & Chandon is a leading name in luxury, it doesn’t take this responsibility lightly. Helmed by Benoît and his expert team, the Maison upholds history in a way that is innovative and future-minded. If savoir-faire reflects on the art of knowing, the Maison’s dedication to this—both as a tradition and as a philosophy—ensures that each bottle of Moët & Chandon is a testament to this promise, blending history with innovation, and celebrating craftsmanship in every bottle.