The gold standard

The Cattier family has been producing premier cru wines since the 1950s. The rich soil and sunny slopes of Chigny les Roses in Champagne combine to offer perfect conditions for slow ripening on the vine, which produces a richer, more complex flavour. Armand de Brignac is the family's showcase prestige cuvée—a blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes, producing a champagne of great depth. The winemaker's artistry is reflected in the choice of bottle: an eye-catching gold-plated design, conceived by the French fashion designer André Courrèges.

The bottle's bling appearance has attracted rock stars and other celebrities, with this month's Glastonbury headliner Jay-Z famously ending his association with Louis Roederer's top-selling brand, Cristal, in favour of promoting Armand de Brignac in his video Show Me What You Got. Jay-Z was apparently unhappy with comments made by Louis Roederer's CEO Frédéric Rouzaud in an interview with
The Economist about whether or not a rap star's endorsement is good or bad news for a luxury brand. Another US rapper, Fabolous, has since joined the fight, appearing with the gold bottle in two of his videos. Success in the Russian market is sure to follow.