Lasting Legacy

Richard Geoffrey steps away from Dom Pérignon

Lasting Legacy

Last year saw Dom Pérignon release a vintage out of sequence for the first time, launching the 2009 ahead of the widely acclaimed 2008. This year the iconic label unveils its 2008 Champagne as a special Legacy Edition that honours retiring Chef de Cave Richard Geoffrey as well as his successor Vincent Chaperon.
Chaperon, who has worked under Geoffrey since 2005, takes command at Dom Pérignon January 1, 2019.
By Geoffrey’s account, 2008 is something of a miracle vintage. The cool summer conditions didn’t inspire much confidence, but everything changed when the sun came out in September.
The result is a powerful expression of Dom, rivalling the 1996 or 1990. It boasts a rich toasty core on the palate, with incredible freshness and persistence that suggests this will be one of the longest-lived Doms of the modern era.

About the Author

Christopher Waters

Christopher Waters

Christopher Waters has been writing about wine for two decades. He is the wine and spirits columnist at The Globe and Mail, education director of IWEG Drinks Academy and a WSET certified instructor at the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, Brock University.
For 21 years, he was the editor/co-founder of Canada's largest circulation wine publication, VINES, and author of the nationally syndicated column, Waters & Wine.
An internationally recognized wine judge, Christopher represents Canada for the Six Nations Wine Challenge and served as head judge and organizer of the InterVin International Wine Awards from 2009-2019. He was awarded the Business Citizen of the Year at the 2011 Niagara Grape and Wine Festival and was received the VQA Promoters Award for Education, also in 2011.
Christopher has been organizing and conducting unforgettable corporate and private fine wine events for 20+ years. He has developed and conducted masterclasses and seminars and moderated panels for organizations, such as The Wine Marketing Association of Ontario, Wines of British Columbia, Wines of Chile, Wines of Germany and Wines of South Africa.