Monaco's exceptional wine tradition reaches a new pinnacle this year as Les Caves de l’Hôtel de Paris, emblematic of the Art of Fine Wine by Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, celebrates its 150th anniversary. Established in 1874 by Marie Blanc, these cellars, known as the largest hotel wine cellars in the world with an invaluable wine heritage, announce a year filled with celebrations and unique events.
The festivities kicked off on March 21 with an exclusive dinner in partnership with the legendary estate Petrus, marking the beginning of a series of events including exclusive dinners, conferences, and master classes. These events highlight collaborations with prestigious wine and champagne houses, offering an unparalleled wine experience.
The year of celebration will also be marked by the Route des Grands Crus, an initiative allowing guests to discover grand cru wines by the glass in the bars and restaurants of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer Resort. Additionally, in April 2024, a limited edition “Grande Champagne Premier Cru de Cognac, Les Caves Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo” will be launched, reconnecting with the house's tradition of production.
The cellars, a hidden treasure beneath the palace, span 1,500 m² and house more than 350,000 bottles and about 6,000 different references. At the occasion of their 150th anniversary, the cellars unveil the first step of their transformation: a new entrance and a new reception and tasting room, designed with Moinard Bétaille. The second phase is planned from November 2024 to March 2025.
These new spaces hosted VIP guests at the Petrus dinner on March 21, 2024, in the presence of Stéphane Valeri, President Delegate of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, Jean Moueix, owner of Petrus, Olivier Berrouet, Petrus winemaker, and Eric Simonet, Deputy Managing Director. Following the cellar tour, the dinner took place in the intimate setting of the Diamond Suite Princess Grace, featuring a tasting of rare Petrus vintages and a dinner prepared by Dominique Lory, Executive Chef of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo.
Three more exclusive dinners will take place in the cellars as part of these celebrations:
- April 5, 2024: Grand Cru Bordeaux Dinner, in collaboration with Château Cheval Blanc, Château d’Yquem, Château Haut-Brion, and Château Margaux, orchestrated by Chef Yannick Alleno. The dinner will be preceded by a tasting and a conference on “climate change and its effects on Bordeaux Grand wines.”
- June 11, 2024: Tenuta San Guido - Bolgheri Dinner, also by Yannick Alleno, preceded by a Master Class with the sommeliers, and a private tasting with Mrs. Priscilla Incisa Della Rocchetta of the Tuscan estate Tenuta San Guido, producer of the famed Sassicaia.
- November 7, 2024: Moët Hennessy Dinner, by Emmanuel Pilon, Chef of Louis XV - Alain Ducasse at the Hôtel de Paris. Preceded by a tasting and a conference on “climate change and its effects on Champagne,” this dinner will conclude the year of festivities.
From April to October 2024, guests of the Resort's restaurants will have the opportunity to taste a selection of fine French wines by the glass. Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhône Valley, and Loire wines have been carefully selected by the group's head sommeliers to complement the wine lists. This unique opportunity allows guests to appreciate rare and iconic wines and access the heritage of Les Caves de l’Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo.
To celebrate their 150th anniversary, Les Caves de l’Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo reconnect with their original tradition of production and create the "Grande Champagne Premier Cru de Cognac", a highly elaborated XO quality old Champagne cognac. This old XO is exclusively composed of eau-de-vie from the best slopes of Grande Champagne like Segonzac St Preuil and Bonneuil. Long decades in oak barrels in cool, damp cellars were necessary for the aging of the eau-de-vie that compose this blend, bringing it length and smoothness with a detectable rancio from the first tasting. The Ugni Blanc grape used to create this exceptional brew endows this elixir with nuances of leather and cigar cabinets, characteristics of great aged cognacs. This rich and balanced cognac reveals roasted and licorice aromas, finishing on a long note of vanilla and toasted bread.
This world-unique cuvée will be available from April 2024 in the bars of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer Resort, in Les Caves de l’Hôtel de Paris, as well as at the Casino de Monte-Carlo shop.
A living heritage in constant evolution, to anticipate the tastes of the era and continue traditions: the cellars use their history to evolve and serve as a driving force within the Resort for the search for novelties, new world regions and appellations, new winemakers, for a clientele eager to discover what few still know. In this regard, the cellars play a less visible but crucial logistical role, supplying nearly 40 sales outlets of the Resort with wines and champagnes, spirits, and beverages. 330,000 bottles of wine and champagne are uncorked and served each year, an average of 900 bottles per day.
For Stéphane Valeri, President Delegate of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer: "The 150th anniversary of Les Caves de l’Hôtel de Paris celebrates the fabulous legacy of Marie Blanc, but also the passion and talent of our cellar masters and sommeliers who enrich this heritage, whether in the heart of the cellars or in our thirty or so restaurants and bars today. It's a great and beautiful story of transmission and sharing for our group. We offer this heritage to our clients, to live an unforgettable experience in our cellars, unique in the world."
"This anniversary is a wonderful opportunity to unite our best wine-loving clients, the Resort's guests, but also our teams around the values of wine: sharing, transmission, authenticity," highlights Patrice Franck, Executive Head Sommelier of the group.
https://www.montecarlosbm.com/fr/inspiration/events/150-ans-des-caves-de-lhotel-de-paris-monte-carlo