Few bonds between a statesman and a luxury brand have been as enduring – or as effervescent – as that of Sir Winston Churchill and Champagne Pol Roger. This extraordinary connection gave birth to the celebrated Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill, a Champagne that embodies the indomitable spirit of its namesake while celebrating a timeless friendship between the families of Churchill and Pol Roger.
The Origins of a Legendary Relationship
Churchill’s affection for the Pol Roger champagne was already evident by 1908, as confirmed by an invoice from his wine merchant, Randolph Payne & Sons. The order? A dozen bottles and a dozen half-bottles of the 1895 Pol Roger vintage. However, this early connection deepened significantly after a lunch hosted by the British Ambassador to France, Alfred ‘Duff’ Cooper, on November 12, 1945, a few months after Paris was liberated.
Among the guests was Odette Pol-Roger (born Odette Wallace, lived between 1911-2000), whose warmth and charisma immediately captivated Churchill. Their instant rapport blossomed into a lifelong friendship, intertwining their families in a relationship that endures to this day. It is a testament to this connection that each release of the Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill requires the blessing of the Churchill family before it reaches the world.
A Friendship Etched in Bubbles
Despite his unfulfilled promise to visit Pol Roger’s headquarters at 44 Avenue de Champagne in Épernay, Churchill famously described it as “the most drinkable address in the world.” As a token of apology for not visiting, he sent Odette a copy of his memoirs inscribed with the playful dedication: "Cuvée de Réserve, mise en bouteille au Château de Chartwell", a charming nod to his own home.
Churchill’s affection for the brand extended even to the racetrack; he named one of his racehorses Pol Roger, and the horse triumphed at Kempton Park in 1953 during Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation Year. This act of devotion cemented his legacy as not just a statesman but also as Pol Roger’s most illustrious admirer.
Honoring Churchill’s Legacy
After Churchill’s death in 1965 at the age of 90, Odette Pol-Roger demonstrated her respect and affection by having black-bordered labels placed on all Pol Roger bottles, a subtle yet powerful gesture of mourning. A decade later, in 1984, Pol Roger honored him further by launching the Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill at his birthplace, Blenheim Palace.
Crafted to Churchill’s tastes – full-bodied, rich, and mature – this prestige cuvée has become synonymous with excellence. The first vintage, from 1975, received the approval of Churchill’s youngest daughter, Mary Soames, who had attended the pivotal 1945 lunch. Until her death in 2014, Mary continued to oversee and approve every release of the Champagne that bore her father’s name.
A Timeless Connection
Pol Roger estimates that Churchill drank 42,000 bottles of Pol Roger in his lifetime.
The relationship between Churchill and Pol Roger is far more than a tale of indulgence—it is a story of mutual admiration, shared values, and a love for the finer things in life. It is reflected in every bottle of Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill, a Champagne that celebrates not just the man, but the enduring sparkle of a friendship that transcends time.
Just as Churchill famously quipped that “a single glass of Champagne imparts a feeling of happiness”, his bond with Pol Roger imparts an enduring sense of elegance and history. It’s a reminder that, like fine Champagne, some connections only grow finer with time.
Churchill’s relationship with Pol Roger was a fusion of refined taste, shared affection, and timeless elegance. This sparkling bond, immortalized in the Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill, serves as a celebration of friendship and legacy and our story, a tribute to one of wine history’s most iconic partnerships.
