Brother Jean Oudart

The rather unknown Frere Jean Oudart (1654 - 1742) was cellar master of the Abbey of Saint-Pierre aux Monts de Châlons.

This abbey was not far from the abbey of Saint-Pierre d'Hautvillers, where the famous Dom Pierre Pérignon (1639 - 1715) was cellar master. Oudart and Pérignon worked together with the aim of perfecting the champagne production process. Both monks therefore deserve credit for their success.

Frere Jean Oudart was 16 years younger than Dom Pérignon, but had the same function in terms of preparing champagne in his abbey as Dom Pérignon in the superior abbey of Saint-Pierre d'Hautvillers. He also lived for a further 27 years after Dom Pérignon. These were important years for the development of Champagne, as the endeavour to perfect sparkling wines was already emerging as decisive for the future of winegrowers. Frere Jean Oudart overlooked precious vineyards in the Côte de Blancs around Chouilly and Cramant, among others, as well as the famous vineyards around Château de la Marquetterie (owned by the renowned Taittinger house since 1932) not far from the abbey. In terms of quality, wines from his abbey were often mentioned in the same breath as those from the Abbey of Hautvillers (which had been far superior in terms of fame for centuries). After his death, he was given the special honour of being buried in the centre of his abbey. His funeral was also attended by brothers from Saint-Pierre d'Hautvillers Abbey.

Another reason why Frere Jean Oudart remained relatively unknown, in contrast to Dom Pérignon, could also have its origin in the fact that there was an acquaintance between Dom Pérignon and another legendary person of this era, Claude Moët (1683-1760).

Later, shortly after the French Revolution, the House of Moët, currently under the management of the equally famous grandson Jean-Remy Moët (1758 - 1841), bought the Hautvillers Abbey and the associated vineyards. Later, the fantastic cuvée (and brand) 'Dom Pérignon' was created.

This excellent champagne from Moët & Chandon is now so famous all over the world that even in the distant USA it is enough to say 'Dom' when talking about champagne - and almost everyone knows immediately that it can only be 'Dom Pérignon'.

Frere Oudart, on the other hand, is rather unknown today. The reason for this is somewhat reminiscent of an old English proverb: "It's not just what you know that counts, but also who you know!"

 

 

 

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