• In 1858, Madame Pommery took over as head of Pommery & Greno after the death of her husband, and expanded by collecting some of the finest vineyards in Champagne.
• In 1874, Madame Pommery created Pommery Nature, the first brut champagne that broke with the tradition of a sweet sparkling wine.  
• In July 1868, Madame Pommery launched the largest construction project of the century in Reims by transforming chalk quarries into wine cellars.  

Madame Pommery was one of the largest donors to the Reims Museum of Fine Arts which this year offers exhibitions with representation of the “new” woman of the Belle Epoque with contemporary women artists in the fields of painting, and ceramics. Following in the footsteps of Madame Pommery to produce award-winning champagne, mother-daughter duo Nathalie and Pauline Vranken of Vranken Pommery continue her dedication to the arts. Pommery has annually opened its Gallo-Roman chalk cellars, providing a unique platform for artists to showcase their talents at the “Experience Pommery” exhibition. Nathalie focuses on originality and integrity, encapsulated in Madame Pommery’s quote: “Never imitate anyone, including yourself.”

Pommery

Vranken-Pommery Monopole Group is Europe’s largest wine grower, second largest Champagne Group, and a major contributor to the world’s rosé market. Vranken-Pommery Monopole manages 2,600 hectares of land, owned outright or under lease and spread over four vineyards in Champagne, Provence, Camargue and Douro.

Committed to meeting social, societal and environmental challenges, as of 2021, 97% of the vineyards were either being converted to organic production or were already organic certified. Provence achieved 100% organic viticulture certification in 2021 and by harvest 2023, nearly 100% of their vineyards in Camargue will achieve this certification as well. Vranken has established the following commitments in their environmental sustainability pursuits:

• The creation of a biodiverse reservoir at the heart of their vineyards. This environment is bolstered using natural pest deterrents free of synthetic chemicals, copper and sulfur, the protection of local plant and animal species, and the use of natural fertilizers via the integration of sheep in their vineyards. 
• Monitoring water usage and waste production. Vranken-Pommery has implemented automatic shut-off nozzles, installation of water meters on each production line, monthly water leakage monitoring, and use of lower water-consuming tank rinsing process. Additionally, Pommery implemented a waste sorting process to deal with ordinary industrial waste, hazardous industrial waste, health care waste, and by-products. 
• Responsible materials sourcing. Vranken-Pommery chooses suppliers that have themselves committed to the support of environmental values.
• Lower-emission transportation. 

Pommery and pate

Champagne Pommery Brut Rosé Royal

ABV: 12.5%
SRP: 
Grapes: red and white grapes, mostly Chardonnay
Importer: Vranken Pommery America
sample for my review 

This rosé blends a red wine crafted with intention for sparkling with various white wines,  mostly chardonnay. 

We chose to enjoy this sparkling wine in pinot noir glasses– the large bowl allowed the aromas to really be present but we didn’t lose too many bubbles! 

Appearance:  Rose gold, pale, fine present bubbles, a beauty in the glass.

Aroma: Cherry, orchard flowers, cherry danish.

Palate: Tart cherry that eventually envelopes the entire palate with cherry phosphate that tingles as it glides across the palate with nice minerality and fennel on the finish. Very clean, refreshing and enjoyable. 

Pairing: The wine is great with our cheese plate this evening; everything on it was specifically chosen to make the wine shine and it has accomplished what we set out to do. The triple cream brie, the cognac duck pate, and the mushroom brie all complement and contrast perfectly with the wine. The crackers and the  apple add a bit of sweetness that is also perfect to compliment the wine. Each of the two brie compliment the wine in very different ways. The mushroom brie highlights the sweet cherry fruit in the wine, while the triple cream brie (while still highlighting the cherry fruit) bring out more brioche or cherry danish in the wine. The spices in the pate add beautiful complexity which dances with the wine so nicely. The rich decadent food on the cheese plate tame the tart cherry intensity of the wine and work beautifully together. 

Madame Pommery novel cover by Rebecca Rosenberg