Brother Jean Oudart

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

This abbey was not far from the abbey Saint-Pierre d'Hautvillers, where the famous Dom Pierre Pérignon (1639 - 1715) was again cellar master. Oudart and Pérignon worked together with the aim of perfecting the champagne production process. Thus, both monks should be given the laurels of success.

Brother Jean Oudart was 16 years younger than Dom Pérignon, but had the same function in the sense of preparing the champagnes in his abbey as Dom Pérignon had in the superior abbey Saint-Pierre d'Hautvillers. Moreover, he lived another 27 years after Dom Pérignon. These were developmentally important years for champagne, since at this time already the striving for perfection of sparkling wines was emerging as decisive in terms of the future of vintners. Jean Oudart overlooked precious vineyards of 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 house Taittinger since 1932), which were not far from the abbey. Wines from his abbey were often mentioned in the same breath as those from the Hautvillers abbey (which had already been far superior in terms of reputation for centuries). After his death, he had 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 brother 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 epoch, Claude Moët (1683-1760).

Later, shortly after the French Revolution, the House of Moët, currently headed by the equally famous grandson Jean-Remy Moët (1758 - 1841), bought up the Hautvillers Abbey and its associated vineyards. Later, the fantastic cuvee (and brand) 'Dom Pérignon' was produced.

This excellent champagne from the house of Moët & Chandon has become so famous all over the world that even in the distant USA it is enough to say 'Dom' in connection with champagne - and almost everyone knows immediately that it can only be 'Dom Pérignon'.

The Oudart brother, on the other hand, is considered 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!"