Veuve Clicquot hosts the first tasting of its hidden treasures, the “Cellar in the Sea” in Aland!

2017-08-01

VEUVE CLICQUOT

In 2010, a team of divers made an astonishing discovery off the Aland archipelago.

47 shipwrecked bottles of Veuve Clicquot champagne – elaborated and bottled during Madame Clicquot’s lifetime – that had been submerged for almost 200 years.

Amazed by the wine’s near intact state owing to its peak ageing performance and the ideal cellaring conditions created by the sea bed, the House decided to launch an unprecedented experiment: The Cellar in the Sea.

Aiming to further fine-tune Veuve Clicquot’s expert understanding of the ageing process, a selection of the House’s finest wines was committed to the depths of the Baltic sea, its progress to be monitored periodically over 40 years and compared against a set of control bottles kept in the House’s famed chalk caves in Reims.

In 2017, three years after the inauguration of this singular project by Cellar master Dominique Demarville, the bottles:Yellow Label, Vintage Rose 2004 and Demi-Sec were resurfaced marking the first comparative tasting of the Aland vault.

Wine experts’ concluded that while both methods provided excellent ageing conditions, the sea bed might be a better choice when it comes to wines intended to be aged for longer.

2025-07-04

Building an Inclusive Society Through Art: Our Partnership with Able Art Japan

MHD Moët Hennessy Diageo has been fostering a collaborative project with the nonprofit organization Able Art Japan since 2017, under the pillar "Engaging Our Society" of our sustainability manifesto, Living Soils, Living Together.

As part of this initiative, we launched the “MHD Artist Scholarship Program” in 2020 to support artists with disabilities in expressing themselves through their art. Our goal is to broaden opportunities for creative expression and celebrate their talents as a society.

From July 4 to 31, we held the “Office Museum” exhibition at our Jinbocho headquarters and regional offices across Japan, showcasing works by six scholarship artists. The vibrant artworks brought our office spaces to life, offering employees fresh perspectives and inspiring creativity.

On July 5, we hosted a “Family Day” event at the Jinbocho office, welcoming employees, their families, and the artists. The event featured a hands-on tufting workshop led by artist NPF_kazuko (Kazuko Shuto) from Minamisanriku. Participants collaboratively crafted a rug, enjoying the textures of materials and freely mixing colors, while sharing smiles and conversation in a warm, inviting atmosphere.

By bringing together artistic passion and our support, this initiative nurtures and lays the foundation for a society where differences are embraced, and everyone has the opportunity to shine. MHD remains committed to connecting people and society through art and promoting respect and opportunity for all.

MHD Moët Hennessy Diageo K.K.