Naked Wines' angels recruit top Champagne maker JP Moulin

By Gemma McKenna

Published: 04 November, 2014

Naked Wines' angels have raised £500,000 to allow Jean Phillippe Moulin, former Ruinart, Mumm and Baron de Rothschild winemaker, to launch his own Champagne line.

Naked Wines prides itself on targeting and recruiting 'A-list' winemakers, and has recently added Jonathan Maltus, the man behind Bordeaux's Château Teyssier 100-point scoring Le Dôme and Daryl Groom, former Penfold's Grange winemaker, to its list.

JP Moulin Top Champagne maker JP Moulin comes to Naked WinesMoulin, who has made wines from Ruinart, Mumm and Baron de Rothschild, is releasing four Champagnes under his own name at the online retailer in time for Christmas.

Four Champagnes created by JP Moulin will now be available from the online retailer in time for Christmas.

Speaking to Harpers.co.uk last month, Naked Wines' UK managing director Eamon FitzGerald said: "From our fine wine bond last year we raised £5 million, and that's enabled us to go and land top class winemakers and age some of our existing wines that bit longer, so they become truly sublime."

Up until now the group has favoured young wines, as they're ready to drink, but its fine wine bond allows customers to fund wines that require a little more ageing. This means Naked does not have to tie up capital to age the wines itself. It classes fine wine as those aged for more than 12 months.

Moulin said the new partnership is "life-changing" for him. The range of Champagnes includes a non-vintage Brut at £19.99, a Blanc de Blancs, Rosé and a 2005 vintage Champagne at £25.99.

Naked Wines already has 225,000 angels, or investors, who pay £20 a month which goes to fund winemakers, and which they then use to avail of special pricing. It currently has a waiting list of 10,000 with an average wait time of four weeks.

FitzGerald said: "We are delighted to bring a winemaker of Jean Philippe's calibre on board. Having made wines for some of the most prestigious labels in the world, this is a significant coup and will add serious sparkle to our range. I'd like to thank the Naked Bondholders who provided the funding to make this possible"

Moulin said: "This is a life-changing moment for me - it's the first time I get to see my own name on a bottle of wine. Naked Bondholders and Angels are helping me to be the best I can be."

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