The World of Wine is full of stories. The most enduring stories begin with a visionary, perfect timing and an uncompromising dedication to excellence. Occasionally however, a perfect storm brews and all these statements meet in a single story. The story of Salon is a rare example that combines all of these aspects into one incredible tale.
The singular vision of Salon Cuvee S was born in the late 19th century when Eugène-Aimé Salon dreamed of crafting a new style of Champagne. The Champenois native enlisted his brother in law, Marcel Guillaume, who was an experienced Chef-de-Cave within the region, to research and uncover the best Chardonnay plots within the Cote de Blancs. Never before had a Champagne been created using only Chardonnay grapes. Guillaume’s research resulted in 21 Grand Cru plots located in the now esteemed Les-Mesnil-Sur-Oger. 20 of the original 21 plots are still used for Salon Cuvee S to this day, with only 1 of the plots - Clos du Mesnil - no longer accessible for Salon after it’s purchase by Krug. This execution of vision over a century ago set the stage for the legend we revere today.
The first vintage was produced in 1905, with this first ‘unofficial’ release trailblazing a zero oak approach to premium vintage Champagne and becoming the first Blanc de Blancs Champagne ever released. It was not until 1929 that the name Salon Mesnil Nature ‘Blanc de Blancs’ was coined in the Reims Trade Register. The cuvee is only produced in the most exceptional vintages, with any fruit deemed less than perfect declassified making production quantities variable year on year.
The stratospheric rise of Salon was through an era where the great names of Champagne produced millions of bottles. The ideal that in order to build a strong brand your house must be readily available was established in Champagne. Salon bucked this trend with a maximum production of a mere 60,000 bottles and only produced irregularly. Throughout Salon’s history, only 44 vintages have been produced. This scarcity makes Salon one of the most sought after and traded wines in the secondary market, commanding eye watering prices that are warranted.
Salon Cuvee S is recognisable for its trademark saline acidity, towering structure, deeply powerful fruit and graceful balance of these characters. This combination makes Salon arguably the best ageing Champagne, with the well versed adage ‘No-one is yet to outlive a bottle of Salon’. The cultural significance of Salon transcends the Champagne itself, it is a story of history, of excellence and of dedication that has endured for more than a century and demands a place in any serious wine collection or on any serious wine drinkers table.
