Dom Perignon Lunch: A Pinch-Me Moment
In what I can only describe as a “pinch me” moment in my wine journey, I was incredibly fortunate to co-host a lunch with Dom Perignon’s head winemaker, Jean Baptiste Terlay. It’s an opportunity I never imagined just a few years ago—and even now, it still feels surreal.
An Intimate Tasting Experience
We gathered in a beautifully presented private room at Lucia in South Melbourne: ten guests, Jean Baptiste, and two LVMH representatives. The tasting journey included the 2015 and 2013 vintages, a 2009 Rosé, the Plénitude 2 releases (2006 and the unreleased 2008), and culminated with a shared bottle of Plénitude 3 1993—a truly spectacular experience.
Understanding the Dom Perignon House Style
The contrast between the 2013 and 2015 vintages was striking, each highlighting the reductive and flinty signature style. This is achieved through a meticulous low-oxygen fermentation process, allowing fruit, lees, and terroir to develop in precise, sculpted form.
Jean Baptiste spoke with calm confidence, reflecting decades of dedication. Nothing is rushed, nothing forced—everything is intentional.
The Philosophy of Plénitude
Listening to Jean Baptiste explain Plénitude was transformative. He described the energy and tension within the wine, how ageing interacts with the lees, and how each stage is not merely time passing but an evolution of expression:
- Plénitude 2: The second wave, revealing deeper complexity and layered textures.
- Plénitude 3: The final act, decades of patience delivering a wine that feels timeless.
Tasting the 1993 P3 exemplified this philosophy: alive yet settled, with notes of hazelnut, cream, citrus oil, dried flowers, and a lingering finish.
A Rare Connection
Drinking these wines with the person guiding them from grape to bottle was almost surreal. Jean Baptiste’s generosity, calmness, and grounded presence made the experience intimate rather than formal. Wine at this level unites people, creating a shared moment of passion and appreciation.
Walking Away Changed
Leaving Lucia, I felt transformed—not by the prestige of the bottles, but by the connection to story, people, history, and place. Dom Perignon embodies precision, patience, and the pursuit of beauty. Sharing this experience with its guiding mind was one of the greatest honours of my wine journey—a memory I will carry throughout my career.