Dom Pérignon releases 2003 vintage by hologram

Published: 08 December, 2011

Dom Pérignon's chef de cave was beamed via hologram into five different venues around the world to launch the Champagne's 2003 vintage yesterday.

Dom Pérignon's chef de cave was beamed via hologram into five different venues around the world to launch the Champagne's 2003 vintage yesterday.

The house hosted five simultaneous events in London, Hong Kong, Paris, New York and Tokyo, which will be available in the UK from February 2012.

With each event linked via satellite communications, chef de cave Richard Geoffroy introduced the wine and addressed each audience, answering questions on the vintage.

Geoffroy described 2003 as a "really challenging vintage to create", blighted by frost on April 7 and 11, "which will forever leave its mark on the region of Champagne" as up to three quarters of the Côte des Blancs Chardonnay crop was destroyed. This was followed by a "blisteringly hot summer" which then led to an early crop and "blissful" harvest. He said he had to "go for it" and "take a risk" when it came to developing the vintage, adding that he was never tempted to give up on it.

He said making the vintage was "a test", as the grapes were "potentially so sun-drenched", but that the end result demonstrated the "impressive force" of the vintage. "The intensity is unique and hovers between austerity and generosity," he added.

Dom Pérignon 2003, rrp £120, will be available from merchants.

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