Noble Order
The Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne, as an exclusive group of people, boasts a long history in researching and promoting wines from the Champagne region in France to the world
rance and its abundant wine varieties have spawned many prestigious orders that promote and highlight each unique type. The Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne, on the other hand, extols the wines of Champagne in general and in their diversity. The order’s name comes from the three coteaux, or hillsides, where these wines are produced: Ay, Avenay and Hautvillers.
In promoting the Champagne region’s wines, the Order focuses on their unique features, ways of consumption and everything else around their reputation and image. To spread all the essential information, a network of supporters was created through chapters. This also means a global communications policy by the Comité Champagne, the trade association that represents independent Champagne producers and Champagne houses’ interests, can be implemented.
The order’s history dates back to around 1650, when young aristocrats at Louis XIV’S court founded a prestigious wine academy based on their fondness for the Champagne area. By the time the order disappeared shortly before the French
Revolution, research on the Champagne process has been completed. Then, in 1956, Roger Gaucher and Francois Tatittinger researched the order and led a group of Champagne residents to revive it.
Since 1992, the order has played an even more active role in promoting the wines in a new communications programme set up by the Comité. Now, there are around 4,000 members—professional restaurateurs, sommeliers, connoisseurs and personalities in politics, media, stage and screen—listed in 15 chapters all around the world.
For a two-year period, a commander heads the order with the help from a conseil chapitral in France, comprised of dignitaries from the Champagne industry itself as well as ambassadors or consuls in overseas chapters: Austria, Germany, Great Britain, Luxembourg, Japan, China, Singapore, Indonesia and the United States. Each foreign chapter is open annually to members and their guests— being part of them entails a ceremony in which an induction and promotion are held, followed by a Champagne reception, and a sit-down gala dinner that serves only vintages and special cuvees.
A recent Grand Chapitre de la Fleur de Vigne was held at Palais du Tau, France, in which 53 chevaliers were inducted, and 10 officiers and five chambellans were promoted, including Indonesian personalities. Ten Champagne wines were served at the reception and dinner ranging from a 2002 Millésime Exception from Champagne Drapier to a Grand Brut from Champagne PerrierJouët and Champagne Taittinger’s Nocturne.