317: Dom Perignon, Grand Cru Champagnes and Marketing Myths with Chris Ruhland

Unreserved Wine Talk

Did the Benedictine monk Dom Perignon invent Champagne? Why is Grand Cru Champagne not necessarily the best Champagne? What makes Champagne so versatile and food-friendly?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Christopher S. Ruhland, author of the award-winning Press for Champagne: A Guide to Enjoying the World’s Greatest Sparkling Wine.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you are going to win a copy of his terrific book, Press for Champagne. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [e-mail] and let me know that you’ve posted a review of the podcast. I’ll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

What makes Champagne so versatile and food-friendly?

What do you need to know about the main styles of Champagne?

Why is Rosé Champagne made differently from still Rosé?

What sparked Chris’ interest in Champagne in particular?

How did Chris' legal career and writing skills transfer over to writing about Champagne?

How does Press for Champagne differ from other wine books in its approach and focus?

Why does Champagne have a universal appeal, even for those who aren't wine enthusiasts?

How did Champagne become the wine of celebration?

What are some common myths about Champagne that Chris debunks in Press for Champagne?

How has the "Champagne only comes from Champagne, France" campaign impacted consumer awareness and the global sparkling wine market?

What are some of the ways popular culture has impacted certain brands of Champagne?

Did the monk Dom Perignon invent Champagne?

How has social media shaped our perception of Champagne?

What is Chris's perspective on the pricing of Champagnes and how it affects accessibility?

Key Takeaways

No, the Benedictine monk Dom Perignon did not invent champagne. Champagne wasn't even sparkling until after his death. But what is true, Chris explains, is he was a cellar master of the abbey and an important figure in Champagne wine production and in advancing its quality.

People talk about Grand Cru champagne with reverence as if it’s categorically better than champagne without that distinction. That's not true. You can find Grand Cru champagne, which is not very good. And then you have champagnes like Louis Roederer’s Cristal and Dom Perignon that are not Grand Cru champagnes.

With champagne, there is such variety and so many different styles that you really can drink it throughout an entire meal, and it can all work differently based on what you're eating.

About Christopher S. Ruhland

Christopher S. Ruhland trained and worked as a lawyer for thirty years before becoming a mediator. He holds the Diploma in Wines & Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and he has passed the French Wine Scholar, Bordeaux Master-Level, and Rhône Master-Level examinations given by the Wine Scholar Guild, all with Highest Honors. He is the author of the award-winning Press for Champagne: A Guide to Enjoying the World’s Greatest Sparkling Wine and gives presentations about Champagne and teaches wine courses.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/317.