Pol Roger is the name of a notable and world famous producer of Champagne, originally founded in 1849.
The brand name is still owned and operated today by direct descendants of the original Pol Roger. With its main location based around Epernay a town in the Champagne region of France, the Pol Roger house currently produces around 110,000 cases of wine annually.
History
Pol Roger was born the son of a lawyer on the 24th of December 1831. Starting his career as a wine wholesaler, he first made the move toward establishing his own Champagne house in 1849, releasing his first growths is 1853. Sales for the first 6-months of Pol Roger’s operation totaled around 3,800 bottles…which has since soared to over 1.5 million.
Pol Roger saw significant success in England during the latter half of the 19th Century, when the business was able to blossom through the so-called ‘Golden Era’ for Champagne. UK agents were taken on to supply Pol Roger to the very top end of hotels and clubs of prestige, not to mention the Royal Family in 1877.
1887 saw the son of Pol Roger visit England for the first time to build on already strong ties, resulting in the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Gladstone joining the ranks of those enjoying Pol Roger Champagne.
By the 1970s, sales had topped 100 million bottles worldwide for the very fist time, though such ran into difficulties during the oil crisis of 1974. The 1980s brought similar woes by way of two poor vintages and high grape prices across the board. However, all was to change by the middle of the decade with recovering sales and the launching of the world renowned Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill in June 1984.
Production
Pol Roger is name synonymous with quality and indeed variety, though the most famous Champagne produced by the house has to be none other than the Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill. Pol Roger was the favorite of Churchill who had often stated: “My tastes are simple; I am easily satisfied with the best!” which is exactly what he found in Pol Roger.
After the death of Churchill in 1965, Pol Roger incorporated a black border round the labels of all brut non-vintage bottle shipped to the UK.
1984 saw the introduction of their finest ever wine, the Pinot Noir-powerful Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill. This particular cuvee is usually released around ten years following the year of its vintage.
Pol Roger’s Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill replaced the P.R Reserve Speciale as the flagship product of the range, which had previously been comprised of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir from only 100% grand cru vineyards.
Tasting
The overall taste that forms the trademark appeal of Pol Roger is said to be a crisp and clean experience following a mature and concentrated nose of complex roses, breadcrumbs and yeast.
The wine has an excellent level of depth and good all round length. Such freshness and a mature, rich bouquet suit Pol Roger ideally to oysters, crayfish and most seafood in general.
Fun Fact
Pol Roger’s cellars stretch out and inter-weave for over seven kilometers and on three different levels under the surrounding villages.
Pol Roger are the current holders of the Royal Warrant as purveyors of champagne to Queen Elizabeth II.
Read more in the book “Champagne [Boxed Book & Map Set]: The Essential Guide to the Wines, Producers, and Terroirs of the Iconic Region“
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