Michel Roux, OBE and Gary Rhodes were among the guests recently when Jean-Pierre Cointreau, CEO of Champagne Gosset, hosted a celebration of the company’s 425th anniversary in Paris.

In his welcome speech he mentioned that Brillat Savarin once commented: ‘the discovery of a new taste contributes more to the happiness of mankind than the discovery of a new star’. Well, a great deal has been done for the happiness of mankind, and especially for our wellbeing, by all the chefs and sommeliers who attended the event, many of whom were past winners of the CELEBRIS Trophy.

The same reasoning could also be applied to the many generations who went before, as M. Cointreau commented: “Our House has endeavoured to bring happiness to all for 425 years now. These 17 quarter centuries in the service of excellence make Gosset the Oldest Wine House in Champagne. But this is more than just a title; it is a savoir-faire and passion handed down from generation to generation for over four centuries that we wish to honour. It is equally an art of living: where tradition, excellence from exceptional soil, and elegance of the heart and soul blend together in total harmony.

The second anniversary that Gosset wanted to celebrate was that of the CELEBRIS* Trophy being launched by Béatrice Cointreau 15 years ago. “For a decade and a half of we have been working together to uphold the cause and maintain champagne’s rightful place in French and International gastronomy.

“Of course, neither of these anniversaries is an end in itself. On the contrary, they allow us now to open a new chapter in the history of Champagne Gosset and for champagne in general.” he concluded.
* The Trophée Gosset Celebris is an annual, French competition which also involves, from time to time, additional countries. It was run in the UK from 2000-2005. It recognises and rewards strong representation of a wide range of champagnes on wine lists in a range of establishments, from fine dining to gastro pubs. Michel Roux is the chairman of the UK panel of judges.