2016 has been a turbulent year for many, while for others, it has been truly sparkling – and though we’re still little more than halfway in, luxury champagne brand, Champagne de Watère already has plenty of reason to raise a glass.
With two ‘Great Gold’ medals under its belt from the prestigious International Wine Guide Awards 2016, it’s fair to say that the company is going from strength to strength, and the tastemakers behind this decadent selection of drinks have plans to continue breaking all manner of boundaries.
Inspired by family history, Champagne De Watère is a product of renowned and respected Vallée de la Marne – the heartland of champagne – and is the brainchild of a family whose roots reach almost as far into the past as the drink itself. Yet although the first known ancestor was recorded in 1086, it was many years later that Champagne de Watère finally became a reality.
Commemorating an impressive 925 years of family tradition, the brand launched to market in 2011, and just five years on, it has built a loyal legion of fans across Europe and United States, distributing orders from modern warehouses in Munich and Miami in as little as 24 hours.
Its unwavering commitment to ethical and environmentally friendly production make the company a breath of fresh air for the eco-conscious champagne sipper – and sure enough, it is living up to a responsibility for the family’s tradition that drives the company to excel in every step of the process. From start to finish, an emphasis is placed on eco-friendly production, from eschewing the use of tractors in the vineyards in favour of horses, to sourcing partners for quality and sustainability standards alike.
“Producing in an ecologically friendly way is the common sense conclusion when thinking of our grand traditions – and the responsibility that we have to ourselves and to our customers”, says owner and president of the brand, Martin Konorza.
Just like the ‘champagneron’ himself, horses use their senses, knowing instinctively how to move along the rows of vines without disturbing their development – and the avoidance of heavy machinery and fossil fuels throughout the process ensures that the company’s carbon footprint is kept to a minimum.
But while the ethical approach is an obvious draw for many, it is its two exquisite champagnes that have made the De Watère name synonymous with the height of luxury.
The award winning Cuvée 1er Cru Brut Blanc is one of the finest the Vallée de la Marne has to offer, delicately dry and crisp in taste, and a fine, translucent gold in colour. A stunning blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay grapes, the Cuvée 1er Cru Brut Blanc is a fresh and mature choice for the discerning champagne drinker, ripened to perfect harmony in private wine cellars. It is a truly exceptional champagne, distinguishable by its balanced yet powerful character.
The The Cuvée 1er Cru Brut Rosé de Saignée, on the other hand, is derived from pure, 100% Pinot Noir grapes, and its rich, profound red colour is a promise of the ripe berry taste to come. With tempting aromas of blackberry and raspberry, it’s an alluring and easy-drinking option that doesn’t compromise on any element of taste.
Both beverages reigned triumphant at this year’s International Wine Guide Awards, picking up a coveted ‘Great Gold’ medal apiece – an incredible achievement for a reasonably young brand, and one that has propelled Champagne de Watère firmly into the spotlight.
The prestigious ‘Great Gold’ medal is awarded only to those exceeding the strict criteria that must be met to achieve gold, honouring the outstanding quality and taste of only a very select few each year. Though thousands of wines were participating in the 2016 awards, just six Great Gold medals were won by champagnes – and two of those were, of course, received by Champagne De Watère. A truly outstanding achievement for the brand, and not one they are likely to forget any time soon.
Since, the company has gone from strength to strength, forging a string of special partnerships with the type of high end and luxury brands that embody the extravagant lifestyle it represents. Most recently, it has joined forces with Monaco-based (drinks distributor) Britesyde Distribution, launching a new special service that offers customers same-day delivery to anywhere on the Côte d’Azur. Spanning from St Tropez all the way along to the French-Italian border, the service offers the large numbers of affluent champagne lovers who live or spend time in the region the ultra-high level of efficiency and convenience that they demand. And for yachting visitors detached from the mainland and reliant upon provisions, it is the perfect solution.
“Until now, yachting visitors had to order our product well in advance,” Konorza explains. “Now, they just call our Monaco-based distributors and order their personal delivery, and it will be on its way to you as fast as traffic allows – sometimes even within a couple of hours!”
Heesen Yachts, the renowned Dutch builder of stunning super yachts, have become another close acquaintance of the brand, and have joined Champagne de Watère to create a truly opulent event that promises to make this year’s Monaco Yacht Show an unforgettable experience.
Heesen will welcome guests aboard M/Y Amore Mio, the stunning 45m, semi-displacement, all-aluminium motor yacht, to sip Champagne De Watère’s award-winning champagnes in the most luxurious of settings. Complete with perfectly matching canapés and snacks, the event will include an exclusive viewing of the yacht, as well as some of Heesen’s other recent special projects. The opportunity to mingle with other Heesen and De Watère aficionados will make for a great experience of the glamorous Monaco Yacht Show – and is set to raise the champagne brand’s profile to dizzying new heights.
With big plans ahead for Champagne de Watère, there are sure to be many more toasts to be made over the coming months – and here at Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, we’ll certainly drink to that.
