Pommery: Creative Genius During the 19th century, when reform and modernity flourished in France, Madame Pommery invented the first brut champagne in history. At the same time as this new idea was born, Domaine Pommery was built in the town of Reims above remarkable Gallo-Roman chalk mines, which still house precious bottles of Pommery today. Today, Pommery’s Brut Royal, more modern than ever, is known throughout the world thanks to the company’s excellent know-how, as well as its inimitable style and the elegant and fruity flavors it creates.
I, Madame Pommery, “have resolved to continue the business and take the place of my husband...”
In 1858, once she had established this precept, the young widow, Jeanne Alexandrine Louise Pommery, set out to conquer the national and international markets and shamelessly shook up some of the rules of business management. In July 1868, Madame Pommery launched “the greatest construction site of the century in Reims:” the transformation of the Gallo-Roman chalk mines into cellars dedicated to Pommery Champagne.
“Damas, we need a wine that is as dry as can be, but not austere...it must be sweet, velvety, and well-integrated...Finesse must be your priority.”
Through her travels to England, Madame Pommery learned that the taste of English high society was evolving toward lighter wines with less sugar content. In 1874, at a time when sweet tastes were dominant, this audacious demand was met. Victor Lambert, successor to Olivier Damas as Pommery’s Cellar Master, created the first vintage “brut” in the history of the Champagne region: Pommery Nature 1874. In the region, this was revolutionary. Scornful disbelief was followed by unprecedented success: under the direction of Madame Pommery, the Pommery style imposed itself “with finesse and a blissful lightness.” Today, it is used to perfect the Brut Royal and the Cuvée Louise. Endlessly different and ever-unique tastes are created as a result of the slow maturation in lonely chalk mines. Thus the Pommery Nature 1874, the first brut in the history of champagne, became a legend.
Please drink responsibly.
