1662 : ARTELIUM x ASTRUM

The Importance of 1662

To celebrate this exciting collaboration with Astrum Wine Cellars, the numerical title of these special-release wines references a key date in the development of sparkling wine making.

Although the French monk Dom Perignon is credited with the invention of sparkling wine, or the ‘methode champenoise’ in 1697, it is little known that traditional method sparkling wine originated in London, with it’s roots in 17th century Holborn.

In 1662, 35 years before Perignon’s discovery, scientist and physician Christopher Merrett presented to the Royal Society his findings on adding sugars and molasses to wines to make them “drink brisk and sparkling and to give them spirit”, first documenting the in-bottle secondary fermentation which puts bubbles into wine.

This was the also first time anyone had used the word ‘sparkling’ to describe the end product.

By naming our 1662 Cuvée and Rosé after the year secondary fermentation was discovered and documented, we are paying homage to England’s ties with the rich history of this fantastic, celebratory drink

EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE VIA ASTRUM