Louis Latour Agencies

Gosset & Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant

10 April 2019

Champagne Gosset were awarded the government honour in 2013 and are one of only three Champagne Houses to date to gain it.

The Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) is a mark of recognition from the French State. This prestigious award is only given to French companies and is awarded "to any undertaking that has economic heritage, consisting in particular of rare, renowned or ancestral skills which draw on a mastery of traditional or technically advanced techniques, and restricted to a particular geographical area". 

Faced with growing global competition and trade globalisation, the French Government created the EPV in 2005 to help recognise quality French products.  The EPV label was created to help consumers identify craftsmen and industries with rare expertise, to support French products and is a sign of artisanal production.

There is a rigorous selection procedure as the EPV’s objective is to highlight technical excellence, creativity and cultural scope. There are three main criteria that must be met:

• Own specific economic heritage as a result of their production
• Use rare skills that draw on a mastery of traditional or technically advanced techniques
• Must have a tie to a particular region

Among other distinguished companies are goldsmiths and silversmiths Christofle, who worked with Gosset in 2015 to create a limited-edition champagne stopper intended for use with their top cuvee, CELEBRIS.

Established in 1584, Champagne Gosset are the oldest wine house in Champagne. It was founded in Aÿ by Pierre Gosset, an alderman and wine-grower who made mostly red wines. At that time the region’s still wines competed for pride of place on the best tables of France with the wines of Beaune which were made from the same grape varieties as they are today.

In the 18th century Gosset joined their neighbours and began to make the sparkling wines for the first time. It was at this time that the house adopted the unique antique flask-shaped bottle that is still used today. Read more about the antique bottle here. 

Since 1993 Gosset has been owned by the Renaud Cointreau family who have sought to protect the quality and character of their wines. This has led them to keep production levels moderate and to respect the history of the house along with the integrity of the region and its vineyards.