Dom Pérignon: The Monk, The Myth, The Legend

Want to discover your wine taste profile?

Take our quick 7-question quiz to find wines that fit your taste profile and get them delivered to your door.

Free Wine Quiz Arrow

We all know that Drake and Future be sippin’ on Dom Pérignon for no reason (see: Diamonds Dancing). Well, do we have some news for you, homies. There are countless reasons to celebrate and sip on Dom Pérignon. Developing winemaking techniques and making Champagne famous are only a few of Drake’s accomplishments. Newsflash, Drake: none of us would have a Future without the past. And our boy Dom Pierre Pérignon has a pretty amazing history.

It’s quite hilarious to think that so many rap gods and goddesses shoutout to Dom Pérignon, since he was actually more into church hymns than sick rhymes. Our main man Dom Pérignon was a Benedictine monk in France during the 17th century. When he turned eighteen, Dom decided he wouldn’t be following his family’s legacy of living a lavish lifestyle with their expansive riches. He instead became a monk, lived at the monastery of Saint Vanne in Champagne, France, and began helping his fellow monks with the revitalization of the run-down Abbey of Hautvillers. The deteriorating abbey used to have a strong source of income thanks to their large garden of, you guessed it, VINES.

hautvillers landscape

Dom Pérignon was one of the main proponents of “you are what you drink.” He insisted that only the greatest grapes be used when creating wines, so he vetoed any individual grapes or vines that were damaged or starting to prune. All of the juices from each individual grape pressing were kept separate from one another, because quality was of the utmost importance in his winemaking methods. To this day, Dommy P is credited with helping increase the overall quality of red wines coming from the Hautvillers vineyard. (Bonus fun fact: He’s also the first person to produce white wines from red grapes.)

One of the biggest fans of Dom Pérignon’s wines at the time was King Louis XIV. King Louie (not to be confused with the orangutan king with really good taste in music) became king at age four, because four-year-old children make really good life choices for themselves and their kingdoms. I’m not sure when he actually had his first glass of Dom’s wine, but he immediately declared it (I can only assume) “the bomb dot com.”

King Louis made a habit of making his habits required by law. Basically, if he liked doing something, he made a law that said everyone else had to do it too. That included making getting up,

going to bed, and everything in between a cultural ritual. If this was true today, you all would be legally obligated to spray tan as much as our current president. Ponder that information however you’d like.

Lucky for Dom, King Louis loved drinking his vin and declared it the best in France. Thenceforth, everyone began drinking Pérignon’s wine and LOVING IT (or at least pretending to). Trés bon for Dom Pérignon, because this resulted in his wine region gaining an amazing reputation for winemaking.

Wait…so Champagne became a nationally renowned wine region for something other than champagne? Yup. Duck and cover, kids, because I’m about to drop a truth bomb: Dom Pérignon did not invent champagne. *Sounds of breaking champagne flutes, bubble carnage and girls across the world shrieking.*

I’m sorry I just altered your life like that with such little warning. Sometimes the truth is sobering.

Dom Pérignon did make the region of Champagne famous for winemaking. That much is true. However, while bringing Champagne to it’s present day notoriety, he was sharing his French red wines with the world, not sparkling wines.

During his years as cellar master, Dom Pérignon didn’t really care about sparkling wines. In fact, he actually tried to avoid it at all costs, as it was considered a fault in winemaking. His focus remained on eliminating flaws in his red wines, and he gave little to no thought regarding champagne making methods. While attempting to perfect his red wines, however, Dom happened upon some discoveries and tricks for dealing with pesky problems that occurred when wines got too bubbly during fermentation.

Dom is credited as one of the first people to suggest using thicker glass on wine bottles that held sparkling wines. This helped to eliminate the dangerous issue of exploding bottles. Because, though exciting, it is best to avoid spontaneously combusting vino if you can. Dom was also one of the first cellar masters to start using wine corks. He secured them to bottlenecks using tightly wound hemp string in order to prevent prematurely popped corks. His hemp string acted as the OG wine cage, aka muselet (you know, the twisted wire that covers your champagne corks so they don’t explode).

Though Dom Pérignon made all of these discoveries during his time at Hautvillers, it wasn’t until much later in the 18th century that the Champagne region of France began to produce the bubbly white wines that act as our celebratory libation of choice today.

The popularity of Champagne wines increased slightly during the 18th century, after it became rumored that bubbles were good for your health. I still like to abide by this “mo’ bubbles, mo’ healthy” logic. Skip to the 19th century when, almost a century after Pérignon perished, Champagne really started to speed up their sparkling wine production.

In 1921, the winery Möet & Chandon produced their first prestige cuvée Champagne. They named it “Dom Pérignon” as a nod to the monk whose impact on the Champagne region was inimitable, to say the least. The naming of this sparkling wine has lead to the common misconception that Dom invented champagne.

While you’re probably feeling slightly embarrassed that your reference to the “champagne creator” has been a lie all these years, there is an upside. Now you can go to your next wine tasting or dinner party and share the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth with your fellow winos. And anytime a rapper references DJ Dommy P, you’ll know plenty of reasons to join in on their toast.

 

Sources: BBCDuvineFeelguide


Arrow Previous Article
August 25, 2017
Your New Favorite Classic M...
Next Article Arrow
August 25, 2017
The Battle of the Wine Stop...
Featured Articles
Follow Bright Cellars

Articles you might like...

Ready to learn more about wine? Dive right in.

This is a carousel. You can use the slide dots to navigate to a specific slide.

Tips + Tricks
December 01, 2023

7 Wine Gift Ideas for Everyone On Your List

When in doubt, gift wine. Here are some helpful ideas for gifting to the wine lovers on your list this...

Pairing Tips
October 08, 2022

Wine and Pierogi Pairings For National Pierogi Day!

Happy National Pierogi Day! This Polish dumplings can be savory or sweet. Here are 7 wine and pierogi pairings to...

Tips + Tricks
July 12, 2022

10 Ways to Get Out of a Wine Rut

Looking to rediscover your love for wine? Here are 10 fun, foolproof ways to get out of that wine rut...

Wine Spotlights
July 07, 2022

Wine Spotlight: Paper Tiger Wines

We're introducing our new wine brand, Paper Tiger wines. These varieties are rare, enticing, and, above all, worth trying.

Tips + How To
June 12, 2022

Wine Wisdom: How to Learn About Wine

Introducing Wine Wisdom — a series of bite-size, sommelier-approved lessons that allow you to learn about wine on your own...

Spotlight
June 01, 2022

All for Wine & Wine for All: Raising a Glass to our Differences

Happy June, fellow wine drinkers! This month, we’re celebrating with a reminder: There’s enough room at the table for all...

Spotlight>Brands
May 26, 2022

Wine Spotlight: Dreamlet Wines

These California wines are exploding with flavor, but we’ve also added a new bottling technique with a little bit of...

Spotlight
May 13, 2022

New Wine Alert: Unsinkable Wines

Bright Cellars is excited to announce the launch of a captivating new brand ready to hit boxes – Unsinkable wines.

Wine 101
May 11, 2022

From the Judge's Corner: Wine Competitions Explained

Our own Julie Albin recently judged two wine competitions in London – the International Wine Challenge and Decanter World Wine...

Wine 101
May 02, 2022

What’s the Deal with Chilling Red Wine?

Should red wines be chilled? The short answer: yes, but don’t go tossing any red wine in your fridge. Here...

Spotlight
April 20, 2022

Best Cellars Spotlight: Folk & Fable Wines

Of all our Bright Cellars wines, there’s one that never fails to impress, time and time again. From its bold,...

Wine 101
April 14, 2022

7 Things to Know About Malbec Wine

You know about the ever-popular Cabernet Sauvignon, and you probably know a thing or two about Merlot. It’s time we...

Wine 101
Wine Facts
April 07, 2022

What Is a Red Blend Wine?

What is a red blend wine and why do winemakers blend wines? We're explaining the magical process that is blending...

Tips + Tricks
March 29, 2022

Spring Cleaning: Wine Bar Cart Essentials

As the weather warms, use this handy checklist of wine bar cart essentials to prepare yourself for spring sipping.

Spotlight
March 25, 2022

NEW! Colorfast Wine Label Spring Cleaning

In the true spirit of spring cleaning, we’re excited to unveil something we’ve been working on behind the scenes. Introducing...

Wine Inspiration
March 22, 2022

Sipping Through Spring: Wine Playlist

Imagine: You're sitting on a blanket at the park with sunshine on your face, a good read in one hand,...

Wine 101
March 16, 2022

A Beginner’s Guide to Different Types of White Wine

Not sure where to start with white wine? Here are the most common types of white wines you'll see at...

Spotlight
February 28, 2022

How to Be the Main Character of Your Wine Experience

Some call it main character energy. We call it good wine vibes. Everyone’s story is different – whether you’re just...

Wine 101
Wine Facts
February 09, 2022

How to Talk About Wine: Wine Terms to Know

From tannin to terroir, here's how to talk about wine and the top wine terms to know for your next...

Wine 101
January 27, 2022

What Are Wine Sulfites & Which Wines Are Low Sulfite Wines?

Sulfites get a bad rap in the wine world, but the truth is, they’re essential to the winemaking process. So,...

Wine Inspiration
January 21, 2022

37 Wine Quotes to Keep You Inspired

Wine quotes are like a good glass of wine - they can truly take your day from good to great....

Wine 101
January 21, 2022

What is Wine Sediment and How Does It Get In My Glass?

In your wine lifetime, you may have experienced wine sediment - traces of the winemaking process left in wine that...

Wine 101
January 14, 2022

Can Wine Freeze? 3 Hacks for Frozen Wine

We know hard alcohol can’t freeze, but can wine freeze? Here's the explanation you've been waiting for and a few...

Wine 101
January 12, 2022

Red Wine vs White Wine: What’s The Difference?

We're sharing the fundamental differences of red wine vs. white wine, plus how you should serve both types of wine.

Tips + How To
January 07, 2022

7 Ways to Embrace Try January, Instead of a Dry January

New Year’s resolutions don’t always have to involve giving something up. Here are 7 ways to make this month a...

Wine 101
December 31, 2021

Sparkling Wine VS Champagne: What’s the Difference?

As we ring in the New Year, it’s important to address this surprisingly common question - what is the difference...

Tips + How To
December 16, 2021

7 Wine Holiday Traditions to Start this Year

Some holiday traditions are just better with wine. Here are 7 creative ways to celebrate the season with vino, year...

Wine Inspiration
December 10, 2021

Last Minute Gifts That Will Arrive In Time

These last minute gifts are great for wine lovers and are guaranteed to arrive before the holidays. Check out these...

Wine Inspiration
December 03, 2021

25 Best Christmas Songs and Wine Pairings

From classic carols to modern hits, we’ve taken the liberty of rounding up the best Christmas songs and pairing them...

Tips + Tricks
Wine Inspiration
December 03, 2021

Holiday Hacks: How to Reuse Your Bright Cellars Box

Instead of tossing your box on the curb, here are a few holiday hacks and DIY wine bottle crafts to...

Pairing Tips
December 02, 2021

Top Wine Pairings for Your Holiday Dinner – No Matter What You Cele...

The holidays are all about enjoying good food! Here are the perfect holiday dinner and wine pairings – no matter...

Wine 101
November 29, 2021

Winter Wine: The Best Winter Reds

There’s nothing like cozying up next to a fire with a glass of winter wine in hand. Here are the...

Wine Inspiration
November 26, 2021

Gift Guide: Gifts for Wine Lovers

Wondering what to get someone who loves wine? From the Wine Newbie to the Cocktail Connoisseur, here are the perfect...

Wine Inspiration
November 24, 2021

7 Reasons to be Thankful for Wine

When you go around the table this Thanksgiving and share what you're thankful for, don't forget to be thankful for...

By The Numbers
November 23, 2021

Your Favorite Wine Cocktails, Ranked

There’s something special about the seasons changing. It’s the perfect time to try a new wine or get out of...

Pairing Tips
November 19, 2021

Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes & Wine Pairings

You can only eat turkey so many days in a row. Here are the best Thanksgiving leftover recipes and the...

Wine Inspiration
November 19, 2021

2021 Black Friday Wine Deals

Whether you're a wine beginner or seasoned sipper, here are the best Black Friday wine deals for wine lovers alike.

Wine Inspiration
November 12, 2021

The Best Holiday Wine Gift Subscription On The Internet

We found the perfect holiday wine gift to give your loved one all the warm and fuzzies this holiday season.

Wine 101
November 12, 2021

How to Open a Bottle of Wine

Grab your corkscrew and your favorite Bright Cellars wine - we're teaching you how to open a bottle of wine...

Wine 101
November 04, 2021

How to Read a Wine Label

Deciphering wine labels can be downright confusing. Today we're teaching you how to read a wine label in four easy...

Wine Inspiration
October 29, 2021

Have You Ever Visited a Vineyard?

There are some experiences that are simply irreplaceable when it comes to wine. We asked our Bright Cellars’ community, “Have...

Tips + Tricks
Wine 101
October 29, 2021

How to Taste Wine

How to Taste Wine in 3 Easy Steps https://youtu.be/yZiVhcLNCto Anyone can drink wine, but tastin’ wine ain’t easy. In order...

Hosting Tips
Wine Inspiration
October 28, 2021

Don’t Forget the Wine: A Holiday Hosting Checklist

Are you hosting for the holidays? Check out our holiday hosting checklist focused on, you guessed it, wine!

Pairing Tips
Wine Inspiration
October 21, 2021

How to Pair Wine With Your Fall Charcuterie Board

Get creative for your next fall get together! Here are our recommendations for pairing wine with your next fall charcuterie...

Pairing Tips
October 19, 2021

Thanksgiving Wines Based on Your Favorite Side Dish

In some situations, it’s okay to play favorites! Here’s which wine you should drink based on your favorite Thanksgiving side...

Pairing Tips
Wine Inspiration
October 19, 2021

5 Apple Dessert and Wine Pairings Perfect for Fall

Move over pumpkin, it's apple's time to shine! These 5 fall apple desserts and wine pairings are perfect for celebrating...

Hosting Tips
Tips + How To
October 15, 2021

How to Throw a Hallowine Party

If you think Halloween is just for kids, think again. Here are 5 foolproof ways to take your celebration from...

Wine Cocktails
Wine Inspiration
October 15, 2021

How to Make Mulled Wine (And Other Fall Cocktails)

There’s just something special about a homemade fall wine cocktail. Here's how to make mulled wine (and other fall cocktails!)

Pairing Tips
Wine Inspiration
October 14, 2021

Pairing Wine With Halloween Candy: The Ultimate Guide

Sometimes you have to treat yourself! These 12 Halloween candy and wine pairings are perfect for ending spooky season and...

Pairing Tips
October 11, 2021

9 Wines for Pumpkin Spice Lovers

Some call it fall, others call is pumpkin spice season! Here are 9 wines perfect for pumpkin spice lovers for...