Champagne Collaboration to Mark Penfolds 175th Anniversary

Australian winemaker Penfolds has unveiled a new collaboration with family-owned Champagne House Thiénot. Three Champagnes, from the 2012 vintage, have been created: a Chardonnay Pinot Noir Cuvée, and two single vineyard wines – a Blanc de Blancs and a Blanc de Noirs. This symbolically celebrates Penfolds 175th anniversary andmarks the start of a wonderful French and Australian wine alliance.  

The Champagnes: 

  • 2012 Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Chardonnay Pinot Noir Cuvée
  • 2012 Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Blanc de Blancs (Avize Grand Cru) 
  • 2012 Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Blanc de Noirs (Aÿ Grand Cru)

Thiénot Managing Director, Stanislas Thiénot said, “This is a first for us, I am proud to say this has also been a truly collaborative experience from the very beginning …. We have created blends reflective of both Thiénot and Penfolds wine styles and philosophies. We are very happy with the results, the Champagnes are modern reflections showcasing fruit, freshness, and finesse. This is the result of an unexpected encounter between two major wine regions, one belonging to the old world and the other to the new world, but with one single common goal: to produce great Champagnes. In addition, working with Peter Gago is extremely interesting and rewarding both for his immense experience and for his innovative vision.”

Penfolds Chief Winemaker, Peter Gago has long shared a love of Champagne and the art of blending. “This is Step Oneof an inviting and compelling journey. Some time back, we announced our intent to make a Champagne. We are now revealing a partnership with our friends at Thiénot – one which would not have been imaginable a decade or two ago. To now actually work alongside a Champagne House and ultimately craft Champagnes proudly, which co-bears the globally recognised red stamp of Penfolds, is both wonderful and a first collaboration of its kind for an Australian winery.”

The wines represent the joint efforts of Thiénot chef de cave Nicolas Uriel who together with Peter shared agreed style and quality ambitions.  The three Champagnes are made from grapes sourced from prestigious and highly regarded vineyards in Champagne from the spectacular 2012 vintage. 

Photo by Leif Carlsson

From the outset, Peter focussed on ensuring Penfolds House Styleand blending philosophies aligned with those of Champagne Thiénot and their winemaking approach. Liqueur d’expédition housed in Yattarna barriques from Australia added greater symbolism and connection.

“Whilst the singularly expressive and acutely defined siblings, 2012 Blanc de Blancs and 2012 Blanc de Noirs, play their role in this trio’s inaugural release, this first release – the 2012 Chardonnay Pinot Noir Cuvée (available June 2019) – synergistically creates its own stage, commanding its own space.  What is so obvious from the first sip and sniff – time will be kind to this wine.  A revelational journey awaits,” said Peter. 

Photo by Leif Carlsson

The Blanc de Noirs (Grand Cru) is sourced solely from a significant Aÿ vineyard, and the Blanc de Blancs (Grand Cru) from a regal single vineyard with vines up to sixty years old.  Singular, special.

Simon Carter, General Manager, Global Travel, Treasury Wine Estates, said, “As the category leader for wine in travel retail, we aim to constantly evolve our portfolio to deliver products that are relevant and unique for travellers. The 2012 Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Chardonnay Pinot Noir Cuvée is a fine example of a truly unique new product from Penfolds and the continuation of the Special Bottlings story in innovation and experimentation targeting travellers in airports around the world.”

“We’re thrilled to be launching this product in Travel Retail and we strongly believe travellers will be captivated by this limited-release product.”

The first of the Champagne releases, 2012 Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Chardonnay Pinot Noir Cuvée will be available at Heinemann Tax & Duty Free Sydney from June 2019 at an RRP of $280.00 AUD for an exclusive period of time within duty free, after which the 2012 Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Chardonnay Pinot Noir Cuvée will be available in selected airport locations around the world.

The 2012 Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Blanc de Blancs (Avize Grand Cru) and 2012 Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Blanc de Noirs (Aÿ Grand Cru) will be released in 2020.

About Thiénot

It was in 1985 that Alain Thiénot founded the Champagne House bearing his name, drawing on the strength of his experience as a merchant and his privileged relations with the producers of the Champagne region. It was bold to accept this challenge in circles where the greatest names were made in the 18th century. Never compromising on quality or know-how, Alain Thiénot made his contemporary vision one of his greatest strengths. Over the ensuing years, the Alain Thiénot name has been conquering French and international markets through gastronomy. Alain passed on his passion and vision to his two children, Garance and Stanislas, who decided to work alongside him. Now, as an independent, family-run business with a resolutely modern approach, their Champagne House continues to develop.

About Penfolds

Born of a pioneering spirit in 1844, Penfolds has manifested a lasting legacy of patience, commitment, courage and passion. We are the proud product of our great winemaking past, of our founders Mary and Christopher Penfold and our innovative greats; Alfred Vesey, Ray Beckwith and Max Schubert, celebrated winemaking legends who pushed liquid development to extraordinary new heights. It is with this pioneering spirit and curiosity from our custodian winemakers that this still rings true after nearly two centuries. Penfolds honours and celebrates these traditional winemaking values, as we cultivate great new traditions for the next generations. Today, 175 years on, this legacy continues and the house remains one of Australia’s most revered … now and ‘evermore’.  

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