Discover the Winery: Champagne Pol Roger
Pol Roger, founded in 1849 in Épernay, is one of Champagne’s most respected houses, known for its elegance, balance, and deep ties to Britain. Still family-owned, Pol Roger has long been admired for producing wines that embody finesse and richness in equal measure. Its relationship with the United Kingdom dates back to the 19th century when it received a royal warrant in 1877, but it was in the 20th century that this connection reached legendary status — through Sir Winston Churchill.
The friendship between Winston Churchill and the Pol Roger family began during a luncheon in Paris in November 1944. Hosted by the British ambassador, Duff Cooper, it was here that Churchill was seated next to Odette Pol-Roger. The two formed an immediate bond, one rooted in mutual admiration and a shared love of fine Champagne. Churchill had been a fan of the house for years, but this meeting cemented a lifelong friendship that continued until his death. He was so fond of Pol Roger that he named one of his racehorses after the house — and when it won at Kempton Park in 1953, the connection became the stuff of legend. Churchill famously declared Pol Roger “the most drinkable address in the world,” and following his death in 1965, the house released its bottles in the UK with black-bordered labels as a sign of mourning and respect.
The depth of this relationship inspired Pol Roger to create its most prestigious cuvée — the Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill — first released in 1984, made from the 1975 vintage. Crafted in homage to Churchill’s taste, it embodies the qualities he valued most in Champagne: richness, structure, and maturity. The exact blend remains a closely guarded secret, though Pinot Noir clearly dominates, giving the wine depth and power, while Chardonnay adds finesse and longevity. All grapes are sourced from Grand Cru vineyards, and the wine is aged for many years in Pol Roger’s deep, cool cellars before release. The result is a Champagne of extraordinary complexity — golden in color with aromas of brioche, dried apricot, tobacco, and spice, followed by layers of fruit, minerality, and generous length on the palate.
Today, the bond between the Churchill and Pol Roger families remains alive. A statue of Sir Winston stands in the Pol Roger cellars as a tribute to their enduring connection, a reminder that this is more than a marketing story — it’s a friendship that defined an era of taste and elegance. The Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is more than just a wine; it’s an embodiment of character, resilience, and refinement — much like the man it was named after. For collectors and wine lovers alike, it remains one of the finest expressions of Champagne, a fitting legacy to both the house and its most famous admirer.
The precise formula is a family secret, but invariably true to the style that Sir Winston himself preferred: robust, full-flavoured and mature (the Sir Winston Churchill Cuvée is always released later than other Pol Roger vintage champagnes).
The first Cuvée made in his honour, and sold only in magnum, was from the 1975 vintage, 10 years after his death. It was launched at Blenheim Palace, Churchill’s place of birth, in 1984.
93 points Robert Parker
94 points James Suckling
93 points Vinous
94 points Wine Spectator
