All about Prestige Champagne

Prestige stands for quality, reputation, and status, and is the most prestigious cuvée of a house or producer. This is the cream of the crop, the showpiece, with which the producer distinguishes itself.

What makes the Prestige so special?

The Cuvée de Prestige is a little different from the rest of the collection. Often, only the very best is used: the finest grapes from the finest vineyards and the finest juices from the press (cuvée). Besides its exceptional quality, the Prestige is produced with greater care . For example, some winemakers employ alternative production methods , such as for the Prestige from Champagne William Saintot. This Prestige Cuvée is aged using a method rarely used in Champagne: the Solera method. Another way the winemaker can distinguish their Prestige is by using a special blend . A blend of a specific grape variety, a specific vineyard, or a specific vintage, for example, with exceptionally long aging in the cellars. Perhaps the Prestige consists entirely of reserve wines or it is a rosé. The choice is entirely up to the winemaker.

Would you like to try Champagne William Saintot Prestige?

One cuvée or an entire Prestige line?

A Prestige Cuvée can be just one variety within the producer's collection, or they can produce multiple Prestige wines. Sometimes, a separate Prestige product line is even developed. Think of Dom Pérignon and our La Villesenière collection. La Villesenière has chosen to source all its grapes from only the finest vineyards, use only the first juices (cuvée) from the press, produce all its cuvées from a single harvest year (vintages, although not officially stated), and vinify and age all its wines in oak barrels. Quite a mouthful. A Prestige line usually has a single style or production guideline .

How do you recognize a Prestige?

There's no real guideline for this. In some cases, it's the most unique (in terms of shape and design) or most expensive bottle in the collection, but this isn't always the case. The term "Prestige" isn't always on the bottle either. Prestiges are often given special names , for example, to celebrate a special event or anniversary. Or the Prestige is named after a key figure in the house or producer (for example, the founder).

So what about the taste of a Prestige?

There's no specific guideline for this either. The producer chooses a particular style or flavor. Prestiges are therefore usually distinctive and often more complex , because they are of outstanding quality and have been cellared longer. Prestiges from large houses, in particular, are aged for years and years, sometimes only reaching their peak after 10 to 15 years.

Read more about the influence of time on Champagne here.

The Prestige Cuvée has many facets, and every winemaker can give it their own interpretation. So, just try a Prestige and let the Champagne speak for itself!