To launch a new champagne house, among the thousands that already exist, is an exercise in passion, ambition and excellence. But to really stand out, you can't deny the importance of both funding and branding.
So when a world famous rapper invests in getting your champagne house off the ground, you know it's going to be big - and look hot! Jaz Z has been the major investor in Armand de Brignac since 2006. Rumour has it he sought out a champagne house to invest in - and promote - after Louis Roederer expressed their disdain for rappers being pictured with Cristal in music videos and clubs.
In 2021 a half stake in Armand de Brignac was taken by LMVH, with a view to help take this brand to the next level.
The house is another father/son partnership, with both coming from many generations of winemakers. Jean-Jacques Cattier and his son, Alexandre, craft the prestige cuvées of Armand de Brignac.
Their dream was to create a champagne of the most "exceptional quality", that would represent the best of the best from the region, where their family have grown vines for more than 250 years.
The Cattier family is based in the Montagne de Reims and own 33 hectares of vines across some of the most lauded crus in Champagne, including the villages of Rilly-la-Montagne, Chigny-les-Roses and Ludes.
A group of just 18 highly skilled people touch a bottle of Champagne Armand de Brignac, from pressing the fruit, to the moment the bottles leave the cellars. Each step of the process is led by the human touch, from handpicking the grapes to polishing each bottle and hand-applying French pewter labels. Without the pressures of volume, the team behind Champagne Armand de Brignac focuses on each small detail, to ensure ultimate quality at every step.
Unique to Champagne Armand de Brignac is the blending of a trio of vintages. Each assemblage brings together the unique characters from three distinct harvests, while maintaining a powerful lineage from blend to blend. Each bottle of Armand de Brignac is coated in metal, finished with the hand application of French pewter labels and polished. Only 20 bottles can be completed per person per hour in the winery, and as a result, no two bottles are the same.
Each bottle of Armand de Brignac is coated in metal, finished with the hand application of French pewter labels and polished. Only 20 bottles can be completed per person per hour in the winery, and as a result, no two bottles are the same.
Shop Armand de Brignac at Emperor Champagne
Image credits: Armand de Brignac