“There comes a time in every woman’s life when the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne,” to quote the iconic Bette Davis. Along with providing reporters with the perfect quip, Davis is admired retrospectively for leading the way for women in Hollywood, fighting for equal pay and equally challenging roles.
We think she would have found a fast friend in the vivacious Marquis De Conflans Champagne, which likes to be called MDC for short. Its bottle featuring the image of an equally independent and passionate woman, with golden hair and an elaborate gown, makes for great company.
Embodying the modern, pioneering spirit of MDC, the heroine holds a torch and a sword — to light the way as she forges ahead. Her tall crown is a nod to her heritage. Born from a champagne house founded in 1859, MDC is one of a few with a female at the helm, a fearless innovator and challenger of the status quo.
With seven generations of knowledge and expertise, MDC is a tribute to the royal families of the region, the original protectors of the land and lovers of champagne. The area is rich with history — from Clovis I setting the trend for champagne to flow at French coronations, including for the Sun King of Louis XIV, to it being the toast of the Belle Époque town at the opening of the Eiffel Tower at the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle. When celebrating,
champagne is always a good idea — its tradition and modernity shaken up together.
However, it’s not all heraldry and hedonism. MDC is for forward-thinking sippers, crafted for contemporary senses and sensibilities with sustainability front of mind. It is leading the way as a ‘clean’ champagne with minimal impact on the environment.
The winery was one of the first to use photovoltaic solar panels, converting solar energy directly into electrical energy. Rainwater harvesting techniques make the most of the earth’s resources, and a green wall assists in energy efficiency. As such, it has earnt the High Environmental Value certification, overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture in France.
When it comes to the expression of natural resources, good things take time. The grapes are handpicked, before being made into an exceptional base wine with only the heart of the press. The champagne is aged for three years — longer than many — to allow it to develop character and flavour fully.
MDC is part of the low-dosage movement, adding minimal sugar to allow the terroir of the wine itself to sparkle and shine. The result is a refreshing, crisp, and complex champagne for the modern world. It will lift any mood.
