One of the most recognized names around the world in Champagne is Dom Pérignon. Whether or not you are a food and wine connoisseur, you’ve undoubtedly heard the name before.

Regarded as one of the premier wine producing areas in the world, the Champagne region of France is home to Dom Pérignon. Unfamiliar with the difference between the names Champagne and Sparkling Wine? Much like similar enforcement rules about Scotch whisky, Champagnes can only be called such if they come from the Champagne region in France, but they are in essence, a sparkling wine. The name “Champagne” is a protected AOC under European Union regulations and they strictly monitor the usage of its name.

So who was Dom Pérignon and how did his name become so closely associated with Champagne. No, he is not the person running the Champagne house where Dom Pérignon is made. He has been dead for a number of years — nearly 300 to be exact. Dom Pierre Pérignon was a Benedictine monk and while some have erroneously credited him with the invention of sparkling Champagne, his work in making white wine from red grapes and double fermentation may have ultimately contributed to the founding of the sparkling version . The brand Dom Pérignon is actually the prestige cuvee from Moet & Chandon and was appropriately named after him.

Moet & Chandon Champagne House Statue of Dom Pérignon at Moet & Chandon Champagne House.

A number of TravBuddies have traveled in Champagne, visited the Moet & Chandon Champagne House, and some have even trekked to Dom Perignon’s grave in Hautvillers, France. Jhwelsch, has some beautiful photos of his journey to visit the abbey , but he was able to wander around the church and see where Dom Pérignon is buried.

Church interior Dom Pérignon’s tomb

Have you wondered who is the current face and winemaker behind one of the best wines to come out of the Champagne region? Currently, Richard Geoffroy, Chef de Cave, is the man responsible for the Dom Pérignon you enjoy today. And surprisingly, I got to meet him this week…in Taiwan.

Yes, you read that correctly, I met Richard Geoffroy — not in Champagne, but in Taipei, Taiwan. We learned of a special Dom Pérignon dinner being held at one of Taipei’s newer dining hotspots, DN Innovacion, and we jumped at the chance to attend. French Champagne and Spanish molecular gastronomy — the combination promised to be an unforgettable night.

You might find it hard to believe but the man currently responsible for creating this legendary wine actually deviated from his family’s longstanding winegrowing roots, choosing to pursue his doctorate and dabble in medicine for a bit. The call of the vines was strong though and he went back and enrolled in the Ecole Nationale d OEnologie in Reims.

Avenue and Place de Champagne

Geoffroy then began his wine career in Napa of all places, starting as the technical adviser for Domaine Chandon. Ultimately he returned to his home of Champagne and has overseen Dom Pérignon since the late 1990′s. He alone is responsible for deciding whether or not to declare a Dom Pérignon vintage. That may not seem like a big deal, but when you factor in that between 1921 and 2002, less than 40 years resulted in Dom vintages, it is immediately apparent that a lot of care and technique goes into the wine that represents the prestigious label of Moet & Chandon.

Italian summer truffle risotto with Dom Pérignon Rose 1998.

Interested in the historical aspects of wine making, having the opportunity to meet the man behind the brand’s success today was quite an honor. It was also rather interesting to enjoy French Champagne paired with Spanish cuisine. Richard Geoffroy was not the only star of the show during the event. Chef Daniel Negreira, who owns DN Innovacion, has an impressive culinary resume and is a pioneer in introducing Taiwan to quality Spanish cuisine and molecular gastronomy techniques. Negreira has worked in a number of Michelin Three-Star restaurants in Spain, including El Bulli, regarded by many as “the” best restaurant in the world.

Brett , Richard Geoffroy, Daniel Negreira, and Erin at Dom Pérignon dinner at DN Innovacion.

The dinner and experience was everything we envisioned and more. There is a lesson here — be sure to fully explore the culinary scene on your travels. Many TravBuddies are food and wine lovers and that doesn’t mean you are confined to visiting Napa or other wine producing regions just to enjoy an event. Many winemakers from regions like Australia, France, Spain, and South America are embarking on worldwide journeys to bring exposure to their brands and share their love of wine with others. In places like Taipei and Hong Kong, there are events happening quite regularly — many of them conducted at least partially in English — making them attractive to Expats and those just passing through.

Have you tried Dom Pérignon or visited the Champagne region of France? Please share your experience in the comments!

Initial photo of Champagne region from Justint.

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