G. H. Mumm Champagne

The champagne house of G. H. Mumm was founded in 1827 in Reims, one of the central cities of the Champagne region, by three German brothers, Gottlieb, Jacobus and Philipp Mumm. The Mumm brothers named their company after their father, Peter Arnold Mumm, a banker and wine merchant from Solingen, who had been making and selling wine in Cologne since 1761. Peter Arnold Mumm had made large profits from wine speculation, above all with the famous "comet vintage" of Schloss Johannisberg. This vintage was named after Halley's Comet, which was visible in 1811 and marked an especially good wine year.

After the death of Gottlieb Mumm in 1852, the company split into two separate firms: G. H. Mumm & Co., named after Gottlieb's son Georg Hermann, and Jules Mumm & Co., named after Jacobus' son Julius Engelbert. Jules Mumm used the red ribbon of the Légion d'honneur as a recognisable emblem for his brand, and so the "Cordon Rouge" was born.

In 1910 G. H. Mumm & Co. acquired the rights to the Jules Mumm brand, a significant expansion of the portfolio. The outbreak of the First World War, however, brought dramatic changes. The Mumm family, who had never taken French citizenship, had their property confiscated and returned to Germany. In 1920 the Société G. H. Mumm was re-established in Reims, and two years later the sparkling wine house Mumm & Co. was founded in Frankfurt am Main.

During the German occupation of France in the Second World War, the Mumm family took over the running of G. H. Mumm champagne once more. After the war, the champagne house and the German sparkling wine house (Sekt, as Germans call their own sparkling wine) went their separate ways again. In 1970 the Canadian drinks group Seagram took over both businesses. Seagram sold its spirits division, including the G. H. Mumm champagne brand, to Pernod Ricard in 2001. The Mumm Sekt house, including the brands Mumm, Jules Mumm and MM Extra, was taken over by Rotkäppchen on 16 January 2002, and the Mumm name became part of the new company name Rotkäppchen-Mumm Sektkellereien.

The best-known cuvée of the house of G. H. Mumm is "Mumm de Cramant". This champagne is a blanc de blancs, made from 100% Chardonnay grapes from the grand cru village of Cramant. Mumm de Cramant is known for its fine perlage, its elegance and its freshness. It shows floral and fruity notes and a subtle minerality, typical of Chardonnay from Cramant. It is often enjoyed on special occasions and has earned a firm place among the top champagnes.

The champagne house of G. H. Mumm is based in Reims, the historic capital of Champagne. The house owns extensive vineyards that cover some of the best sites in Champagne. G. H. Mumm owns around 218 hectares of vineyards, of which 160 hectares are classified as grand cru. These vineyards lie in renowned villages such as Aÿ, Bouzy, Ambonnay, Verzenay and Verzy. Careful management of these vineyards is a central part of the G. H. Mumm philosophy of producing champagne of the highest quality.

The house of G. H. Mumm has a rich history that is closely tied to the development of champagne production and culture. The brand is known and respected worldwide and has won numerous awards over the years for its excellent champagnes. The red ribbon of the Légion d'honneur, used as the trademark of the Cordon Rouge cuvée, has become a symbol of quality and prestige.

In the history of champagne, G. H. Mumm has played a significant role, in peacetime as well as through the war years. The house's ability to adapt and develop has helped it remain among the leading champagne houses today.

Since 2001, G. H. Mumm has belonged to the Pernod Ricard group, one of the largest spirits and wine companies in the world. Under Pernod Ricard, G. H. Mumm has expanded its international presence and brought modern techniques into winemaking and marketing. The combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation is a hallmark of production at G. H. Mumm today.

G. H. Mumm is committed to sustainability and the responsible use of natural resources. The house works continuously to improve its production methods, to protect the environment and to safeguard the quality of its champagnes. This includes sustainable farming practices in the vineyards, reduced energy consumption and minimal waste.

The champagne house of G. H. Mumm looks back on a long and eventful history. Founded in 1827 by the German Mumm brothers, it has earned a firm place among the top champagnes through quality and innovation. With its famous cuvée Mumm de Cramant and the iconic Cordon Rouge, G. H. Mumm has won recognition around the world. Under Pernod Ricard, and with a clear focus on sustainability and excellence, the house of G. H. Mumm can look forward to a promising future.