2017 Institut des Métiers d’Excellence Masterclass in Champagne
© Michel Jolyot
Apprentices from the LVMH Institut des Métiers d’Excellence class of 2016/17 were invited to Avize, in Champagne on March 17 for a Masterclass in Champagne around the theme “Savoir-faire and Creation”. The students learned about the rich array of winegrowing and winemaking skills, meeting with champagne specialists and also taking advantage of the event to discover other métiers at the IME.
The LVMH Institut des Métiers d’Excellence (IME) invited all its apprentices to a Masterclass in Champagne around the theme “Savoir-faire and Creation”. The event gave the students a chance to learn more about the importance of transmission of knowledge and know-how in métiers that center on creativity, retailing and artisanal craftsmanship.
The students were welcomed by Christian Renard, former Director of Veuve Clicquot Vineyards and former President of the Avize Viti Campus wine school, and by Christophe Bonnefond, Oenology Director of Mercier. After a presentation of the métiers and savoir-faire at Moët Hennessy’s Champagne houses, the apprentices heard from Richard Geoffroy, Cellar Master of Dom Pérignon, and Guerlain Master Perfumer Thierry Wasser, who shared a look at similarities and differences between the sensory signatures of Dom Pérignon vintages and Guerlain perfumes. The full agenda for the day offered a rich cross-section of approaches to creativity.
The afternoon theme, “Dom Pérignon: champagne creator”, provided a framework as the apprentices presented their work in jewelry, watchmaking, leather goods, retailing, culinary arts, couture floue, vineyards and winemaking, and retail design. Their creativity and enthusiasm spotlighted the rich savoir-faire found in the métiers of each of the specialized IME tracks.