Jean-Rémy Moët (1758–1841) was a French
vintner and merchant seaman who helped bring the
Champagne house of
Moët et Chandon to international prominence. He inherited the house from his grandfather and founder
Claude Moët.
[D. & P. Kladstrup ''Champagne'' pg 61 Harper Collins Publisher ]
Friendship with Napoleon
Jean-Rémy Moët first met
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...
in 1782 at the military academy of
Brienne-le-Château when Moët was soliciting orders for his family champagne firm. The two kept in touch and developed an enduring friendship that would last both their lifetimes. During his military campaigns, Napoleon would always make it an objective to visit the Moët estate at
Épernay to pick up cases of champagne. The only exception was when Napoleon had to rush to confront Wellington at the
Battle of Waterloo.
[D. & P. Kladstrup ''Champagne'' pg 65 Harper Collins Publisher ]
Napoleon's friendship and patronage greatly benefited the Moët house and as a tribute, Moët built a replica of
Grand Trianon on his property, complete with original work by
Jean-Baptiste Isabey, for Napoleon and
Empress Josephine to stay in when they visit.
On 14 March 1814, just a few weeks before
Paris was to fall during the
War of the Sixth Coalition, Napoleon stayed at his friend's estate and awarded him the ''
Légion d'honneur'' cross for his distinguished service to France in increasing its worldwide reputation for wine.
[D. & P. Kladstrup ''Champagne'' pg 67 Harper Collins Publisher ]
After the fall of Napoleon
Following Napoleon's abdication, the region of
Champagne was occupied by
Russian soldiers of the Sixth Coalition. In retaliation for Napoleon's earlier conquest, the Champenois were subjected to large fines and ordered to pay requisitions. Most of Champagne's cellars were plundered. Moët's was particularly hard hit, with more than 600,000 bottles emptied by the Russian encampment. Instead of resisting, Moët told his friends ''"All of those soldiers who are ruining me today will make my fortune tomorrow. I'm letting them drink all they want. They will be hooked for life and become my best salesmen when they go back to their own country."''
[D. & P. Kladstrup ''Champagne'' pg 68 Harper Collins Publisher ]
Moët's words were prophetic as in the ensuing years, the House of Moët saw a boom in sales and prestige with clients from around the world visiting their cellars and making purchases including the former Napoleonic foes
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington,
Frederick William III of Prussia
Frederick William III (german: Friedrich Wilhelm III.; 3 August 1770 – 7 June 1840) was King of Prussia from 16 November 1797 until his death in 1840. He was concurrently Elector of Brandenburg in the Holy Roman Empire until 6 August 1806, wh ...
,
William II of the Netherlands,
Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor and Csar
Alexander I of Russia.
See also
*
List of wine personalities
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Moet, Jean-Remy
French winemakers
French businesspeople
1758 births
1841 deaths
Champagne (wine)