To the nose, the wine’s remarkably rich bouquet reveals itself in successive waves

The newly launched Dom Pérignon 2005 vintage is for those who love of champagne. It tastes like a great white burgundy from the same year and had an impressive structure.

A taste of the new Dom Pérignon 2005 shows that the hot summer of 2005, late harvest and unusually high percentage of Chardonnay (62 per cent, which balances the intensity of the rigorously grey-rot-avoided Pinot Noir) explain its decidedly Montrachet-like character.

To the nose, the wine’s remarkably rich bouquet reveals itself in successive waves. First the intense fruit, more black than red grapes, which then melts into silvery minerality. There are notes of praline and coriander that complement the whole.

The long lees maturation of the grapes gives Dom Pérignon its customary aromatic intensity. While this is a new release, it is not a young wine. It shows a characteristic with surprising harmony.

How to serve the wine

Richard Geoffroy, Dom Pérignon’s Chef de Cave

Richard Geoffroy, Dom Pérignon’s Chef de Cave, the cellarmaster behind one of France’s most famous champagnes, recommends Spiegelau Authentis. Authentis is a wine glass manufactured by Spiegelau. Through design of the shape, the fine-blown character of Authentis ensures that the aroma and bouquet of wine is transferred to the taster in a perfectly authentic way.

Authentis ensures that the aroma and bouquet of wine is transferred to the taster in a perfectly authentic way

Geoffroy explains that through the slightly corpulent bowl of the glass, a whole wealth of aromas is released when the wine comes into contact with the air, amplifying the complexity of the wine’s flavour. The top of the glass curves gently inward to concentrate Dom Pérignon’s aromas and best reveal them to your nose as you taste the wine.