Dominique Demarville (aged 36), who made history by becoming the youngest ever Chef de Cave in 1998, has been promoted to Wines & Vines Director, responsible for viticulture and vinification at both Champagne Mumm and Champagne Perrier-Jouët. His appointment includes a seat on the Board of Directors.
In addition to overseeing the sourcing and quality control of all grapes for both Mumm and Perrier-Jouët Champagnes, Demarville will also be responsible for all future major capital expenditures – including the renovation of the visitor centre at Champagne Mumm in Reims. He will also establish quality assurance systems across production at both Houses.
Jean-Marie Barillére, Chairman of Champagne Mumm & Perrier-Jouët, comments “Dominique has undoubtedly put his own personal ‘stamp’ on the Mumm Champagne portfolio over the last five years, and this promotion is recognition that he has taken the quality and reputation of the House to new heights. He has worked very hard to improve the consistency and complexity of our flagship Mumm Cordon Rouge Champagne, maximising the quality of grapes in the production of ‘vins clairs’ and increasing the proportion of reserve wines in the blend. In the course of his work he has established a strong, close working relationship with both cellar hands, growers and vineyard managers and is hugely respected within Champagne for his commitment and dedication.”
Demarville’s progress at Champagne Mumm has been noted and commented on by a number of other renowned champagne specialists within the industry including Tom Stevenson, who has referred to him as "an inspired choice” and “truly gifted”.
To support Demarville in his new role, Champagne Mumm has appointed a new Deputy Chef de Cave, Didier Mariotti, who will take over much of the day to day production within the Cellar. At Champagne Perrier-Jouët, Cellar Master Hervé Deschamps will continue to concentrate on what he does best – the blending and creation of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut and Belle Époque Champagnes – now supported by Demarville in his new role overseeing all other production and viticultural activities.
Demarville comments, “I am delighted by my new appointment and relish the challenge of the added responsibilities it brings. I’m very grateful to Jean-Marie Barillére and the Board at Champagne Mumm and Perrier-Jouët for their continued support and encouragement and I’d also like to thank my team of hard working staff and the growers and vineyard managers with whom I’ve had the privilege of working for the last five years. Without their efforts and support this achievement would not have been possible.”
Dominique Demarville – Biography
Dominique Demarville began his career studying winemaking at the Viticulture and Oenology School in Avize, Champagne, followed by a further two-year stint at the University in Burgundy.
After Military Service he joined a small Champagne house, Philippe Gonet, based in the village of Mesnil Sur Oger in the Cote des Blancs where he took responsibility for winemaking, blending and production.
In 1993 he moved to Epernay to become Cellarmaster at Champagne Bauget-Jouette where he took charge of all winemaking, the blending of seven different Cuvées and production management as well as responsibility for their vineyards in five different villages.
After only a year he joined Champagne Mumm in June 1994 and became responsible for the winery and bottling in Reims. He also took control of winemaking and actively participated in tastings to make up the Mumm Cordon Rouge cuvée.
In January 1998 he was appointed Chef de Cave and, for the past five years, has carried overall responsibility for all winemaking, blending and bottling of the various cuvées which carry the Mumm name, including Mumm Cordon Rouge NV, Mumm Vintage Champagne and Mumm de Cramant.
Demarville lives in Reims with his wife, Marie-Agnès, and his three children Margaux (9), Adrien (7) and Camille (20 Months).
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Note to editors
MUMM® Champagne is a registered trademark of G.H. Mumm & Cie.
PERRIER-JOUËT® Champagne is a registered trademark of Champagne Perrier-Jouët.
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