Pol Roger: Churchill's Cellar

How to Complete

4 steps curated by Wine Memories

1. 📜 1

   Find Churchill's Statue

   history $$

   A bronze bust of Winston Churchill stands among aging bottles in the cellar at 1 Rue Winston Churchill, Épernay (yes, they renamed the street for him). He drank Pol Roger every single day of his adult life and even named his racehorse "Pol Roger." Book at polroger.com or call +33 3 26 59 58 00, but ask specifically: "Can we see Churchill's statue?" It's not on every standard tour — explain you came FOR Churchill and they'll make it happen.

   🔄 BACKUP: Ask about Churchill photos and letters on display.

   🍷 Log Memory
2. 📜 2

   Learn the Black Border Story

   history Free

   When Churchill died in 1965, Pol Roger was devastated — they put BLACK BORDERS on every label sold to Britain for TWELVE YEARS until 1977. No other champagne house has ever done this for anyone. During your tour (in the heritage room or gallery), ask your guide: "Can we see a black-bordered bottle?" They keep examples for you to hold, then ask: "Why 12 years?" The answer reveals the extraordinary depth of this relationship.

   🔄 BACKUP: Archive photos of black-bordered bottles if none available.

   🍷 Log Memory
3. 🍷 3

   Taste Sir Winston Churchill Cuvée

   Optional

   wine $$$$

   "Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill" — their prestige cuvée created exactly in the powerful, structured style Churchill preferred — is only made in exceptional years. In the tasting room at tour's end, this expensive cuvée (€150+/bottle) isn't on the standard tasting, so ask: "Can we taste the Churchill cuvée?" They may offer a small pour. He once said: "I drink it when I'm happy and when I'm sad... I never drink anything else."

   🔄 BACKUP: Brut Réserve (standard) is excellent - Churchill drank this daily too.

   🍷 Log Memory
4. 📜 4

   Read Churchill's Letters

   history Free

   Original letters from Churchill to the Pol Roger family span decades of personal correspondence — he wasn't just a customer, he was FAMILY. After your tour, ask to see these letters in the heritage room or lobby area. Read them carefully for the warmth, humor, and genuine affection as he ordered by the case, sent bottles to world leaders, and used Pol Roger as his diplomatic tool.

   🔄 BACKUP: High-quality reproductions if originals in conservation.

   🍷 Log Memory