Dom Pérignon’s Vintage 2015 is not merely a champagne; it’s a muse bottled, a sparkling sonnet of heritage, creativity, and unbridled art. In its special tribute to Jean-Michel Basquiat, Dom Pérignon draws us into an exhilarating dialogue between effervescence and expression, where every sip is a verse, and every bubble a brushstroke.
A Canvas in a Glass
If Basquiat’s “In Italian” were a flavor, it would be this champagne: vibrant yet veiled, complex yet charismatic. On the nose, the wine flirts with your senses—bright citrus pirouettes alongside apricot, while hints of brioche and white flowers whisper their way into the ensemble. It’s a conversation, not a monologue—layers revealing themselves like Basquiat’s cryptic crowns and phrases.
The palate is where the magic unfolds: zesty lemon and peach lead the charge, backed by a mineral crispness that feels like sipping sunlight. Then, like Basquiat’s art, the wine takes an unexpected turn, unveiling creamy textures and a finish as lingering as the artist’s cultural impact. It’s champagne that doesn’t just tell a story—it sparks one.
Assemblage: The Art of Harmony in Chaos
Both Basquiat and Dom Pérignon thrive on assemblage, the alchemy of disparate elements creating something greater than their parts. Where Basquiat layers symbols, words, and colors—each competing for attention yet forming a cohesive narrative—Dom Pérignon blends grapes from distinct terroirs to craft a wine where contradictions coexist. In both, tension becomes triumph.
The coffrets themselves mimic this ethos, featuring fragments of Basquiat’s “In Italian.” Like puzzle pieces, they beg to be united, inviting collectors to participate in the act of creation.
It’s a clever twist—assembling a Basquiat while savoring a Dom Pérignon, art and wine colliding like fireworks in the night sky.
The Crown Meets the Shield
Symbols matter.
Dom Pérignon’s iconic shield represents the brand’s rootedness in Hautvillers and its pursuit of the extraordinary. Basquiat’s crown, by contrast, is rebellious—a declaration of power, identity, and the unsung heroes of his canvases. Together, these emblems form a tête-à-tête: tradition conversing with avant-garde, luxury shaking hands with raw genius.
It’s a pairing that feels as natural as champagne and celebration—or as Basquiat might quip, as graffiti and galleries.
The Lasting Sparkle of Art and Wine
As Basquiat once said, “The greatest treasures in the world are art. They are still here after people.” Dom Pérignon takes this to heart, crafting wines that endure, much like Basquiat’s vivid legacy. This collaboration is a celebration of enduring artistry, a sparkling reminder that some things—art, wine, and the creative spark—are timeless and that life, not unlike great art, is meant to fizz with intensity.
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Words by AW.
Photo courtesy of Dom Pérignon.