X.

/The Champagne Establishments of Epernay and Pierry./

Early records of the Moët family at Reims and Epernay--Jean Remi Moët, the founder of the commerce in Champagne wines--Extracts from old account-books of the Moëts--Jean Remi Moët receives the Emperor Napoleon, the Empress Josephine, and the King of Westphalia--The firm of Moët & Chandon constituted--Their establishment in the Rue du Commerce--The delivery and washing of new bottles--The numerous vineyards and vendangeoirs of the firm--Their cuvée made in vats of 12,000 gallons--The bottling of the wine--A subterranean city, with miles of streets, cross-roads, open spaces, tramways, and stations--The ancient entrance to these vaults--Tablet commemorative of the visit of Napoleon I.--The original vaults known as Siberia--Scene in the packing-hall--Messrs. Moët & Chandon's large and complete staff--The famous 'Star' brand of the firm--Perrier-Jouët's château, offices, and cellars--Classification of the wine of the house--The establishment of Messrs. Pol Roger & Co.--Their large stock of the fine 1874 vintage--The preparations for the tirage--Their vast fireproof cellier and its temperature--Their lofty and capacious cellars--Pierry becomes a wine-growing district consequent upon Dom Perignon's discovery--Esteem in which the growths of the Clos St. Pierre were held--Cazotte, author of _Le Diable Amoureux_, and guillotined for planning the escape of Louis XVI. from France, a resident at Pierry--His contest with the Abbot of Hautvillers with reference to the abbey tithes of wine--The Château of Pierry--Its owner demands to have it searched to prove that he is not a forestaller of corn--The vineyards and Champagne establishment of Gé-Dufaut & Co.--The reserves of old wines in the cellars of this firm--Honours secured by them at Vienna and Paris 205