Pol Roger

History

Pol Roger was founded in 1849 by Pol Roger, who was inspired by family circumstances to establish a champagne house. Initially, the company focused on exports to Great Britain, where dry champagne was preferred. By 1855, Pol Roger had favored dry champagne, which aligned with the English market's taste. The house grew rapidly, and after Pol Roger's death in 1899, his sons obtained a presidential decree allowing the founder's name to become the new family name, while the company continued to be called Pol Roger.

Pol Roger gained a Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria in 1877 and became a purveyor to the British monarchy. Winston Churchill became a customer in 1908 and remained loyal to the brand, even after meeting Odette Pol Roger in Paris in 1945. In 1975, Pol Roger created the Cuvée Winston Churchill, a prestigious and sought-after champagne. The company has maintained its family legacy, with the 6th generation, Hubert de Billy, recently joining the family business[1][3].

Terroir

Pol Roger's terroir is primarily sourced from top-quality vineyards in the Champagne region. The "White Foil" Brut, for instance, is sourced from vineyards in Montagne de Reims (Pinot Noir), Vallée de la Marne and Petite Vallée d'Epernay (Pinot Meunier), and the Côte des Blancs (Chardonnay) [3]. This diverse terroir contributes to the complexity and balance of their wines. The specific vineyard locations allow for a blend of different grape varieties, with Pinot Noir providing body and depth, Pinot Meunier adding freshness and vigorous fruit, and Chardonnay contributing elegance and finesse [3]. The terroir's influence is further enhanced by the winemaking process, which includes fermentation in stainless steel at a cool temperature to retain freshness [3].