Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 1995

Moët & Chandon’s vintage champagnes reflect the cellar master’s personal interpretation of the singular qualities of the year, and often their singularity is what makes them the most interesting. Since 1842 the maison has been carefully crafting vintages, and the Grand Vintage Collection is among the Champagne region’s most outstanding collections of unique and rare champagnes. As much as each vintage is a reflection of the season, it is also a reflection of the minds behind the assemblage. Grand Vintage 1995 tells a story of complexity, balance and maturity.

A lacklustre spring in the Champagne region resulted in late but rapid flowering in the vineyards. While the summer was initially unstable, a long period of warm, dry weather from the beginning of June meant conditions for grape development were near-perfect. Indeed, temperatures were higher in 1995 than at any point in all the 30 preceding years. Cooler September temperatures had little effect on ripening, though picking began slightly earlier than usual. The low levels of rain over the summer resulted in powerful chardonnay grapes, while the pinot noir was true to form and finessed.

The growing season in 1995 was a welcome reprieve in Champagne following several difficult harvests. As the largest landowner in Champagne, Moët & Chandon has the luxury of choosing the best grapes, therefore ensuring the originality of a Grand Vintage. And although elevated acidity levels were present in the 1995 grapes early on, winemakers quickly agreed that the champagne would soften with age and develop into a highly collectable vintage alongside those from 1996 and 1997. 

Moët & Chandon’s vintage champagnes reflect the cellar master’s personal interpretation of the singular qualities of the year, and often their singularity is what makes them the most interesting. Since 1842 the maison has been carefully crafting vintages, and the Grand Vintage Collection is among the Champagne region’s most outstanding collections of unique and rare champagnes. As much as each vintage is a reflection of the season, it is also a reflection of the minds behind the assemblage. Grand Vintage 1995 tells a story of complexity, balance and maturity.

A lacklustre spring in the Champagne region resulted in late but rapid flowering in the vineyards. While the summer was initially unstable, a long period of warm, dry weather from the beginning of June meant conditions for grape development were near-perfect. Indeed, temperatures were higher in 1995 than at any point in all the 30 preceding years. Cooler September temperatures had little effect on ripening, though picking began slightly earlier than usual. The low levels of rain over the summer resulted in powerful chardonnay grapes, while the pinot noir was true to form and finessed.

The growing season in 1995 was a welcome reprieve in Champagne following several difficult harvests. As the largest landowner in Champagne, Moët & Chandon has the luxury of choosing the best grapes, therefore ensuring the originality of a Grand Vintage. And although elevated acidity levels were present in the 1995 grapes early on, winemakers quickly agreed that the champagne would soften with age and develop into a highly collectable vintage alongside those from 1996 and 1997.