Dom Pérignon has unveiled a limited edition Vintage 2015 collection inspired by the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat, marking a significant collaboration between the champagne house and the artist’s estate.
The release represents a continuation of Dom Pérignon’s longstanding engagement with the arts, following similar partnerships with figures such as actor and singer Lady Gaga in 2023.
However, this collection is notably centered on a deep artistic connection between the house’s winemaking and Basquiat’s creative vision.
“We’ve always been drawn to creators who challenge conventions and push the boundaries of their craft—just like we do with our wines,” said Jacques Giraco, global managing director at Dom Pérignon, during a media event for the unveiling in New York City in October. “Basquiat was such a bold, innovative artist, and his work still resonates today.”
The collection’s design, which features Basquiat’s 1983 painting In Italian, reflects the concept of assemblage—both in art and winemaking. The coffrets, or decorative boxes, display sections of the painting, which come together as a complete image when placed side by side. This approach mirrors the assemblage process in Dom Pérignon’s winemaking, says Vincent Chaperon, Dom Pérignon’s chef de cave (head winemaker).
“Just as Basquiat layered symbols, colors and text to create art that’s vibrant with meaning, we combine elements from different vineyard plots and grape varieties to create depth and complexity in our wines,” Chaperon said.
Chaperon emphasized that while the process is precise, it also leaves room for creativity. This, he explained, aligns with Basquiat’s artistic approach, where energy and imperfection are balanced with intention.
“When blending, it’s not just about harmonizing flavors—it’s about finding tension between acidity, texture and aromatic expression, creating a wine that evolves with time,” he said.
Dom Pérignon exclusively produces vintage champagne, meaning each bottle is made from grapes harvested in a single—and exceptional—year. The Vintage 2015 champagne is described by the winemakers as embodying the boldness and complexity found in Basquiat’s art. The growing conditions of that year allowed the winemakers to craft a champagne with a distinct tension and vibrant character.
Chaperon noted that the wine has “vibrant citrus notes, underscored by stone fruits, with a precise minerality that gives it structure.” This complexity is designed to evolve over time, revealing new nuances with each sip, much like how Basquiat’s layered works of art reveal deeper meaning upon closer inspection.
The packaging design further enhances the experience, with each bottle bearing the fusion of Dom Pérignon’s shield and Basquiat’s crown emblem. Giraco described this fusion as symbolic, representing “two worlds united by creativity and craftsmanship.” The attention to detail in the packaging, along with the tribute to Basquiat’s visual language, aims to create a cohesive connection between the art and the champagne.
“We want people to feel the energy, passion and artistry that went into this tribute to Basquiat,” Giraco said.
Giraco also highlighted the significance of this collaboration in continuing Dom Pérignon’s commitment to the arts. “Throughout our history, we’ve sought out collaborations with visionary artists—whether it’s Lady Gaga or now Basquiat—to keep this dialogue between fine wine and the arts alive,” he said. The Basquiat tribute is part of this tradition, merging fine champagne with artistic expression in a way that aims to honor both legacies.
The choice of In Italian as the inspiration for the collection was deliberate, according to Dom Pérignon’s management. This artwork, known for its blend of text, symbols and vibrant colors, is considered one of Basquiat’s more evocative pieces, and its integration into the Dom Pérignon collection adds an artistic dimension to the wine experience.
“We were particularly drawn to In Italian because it embodies the same complexity we seek in our wines,” Giraco said. “The layering of symbols, text and imagery mirrors how we build our vintages—each component playing a distinct role but contributing to a unified whole.”
The limited-edition Dom Pérignon Vintage 2015 is expected to resonate with collectors and art enthusiasts alike. Champagne sales, much like figures for the rest of the global wine industry have been slipping over the last two years. But collectors’ editions are picking up interest among investors. Over the past five years, the value of the “Champagne 50” index, which tracks the top champagne brands traded on the wine platform Liv-ex, has increased by 47%, as reported by The Economist. This rise outpaces all other regional wine indices globally.
Chaperon said that he hopes collectors will appreciate the craftsmanship behind the wine, which, like Basquiat’s art, is designed to evolve and reveal new dimensions over time.
“Basquiat’s art appears as deeply personal, rooted in his heritage, yet universal in its appeal,” Chaperon said. “We approach winemaking in a similar way—we honor the traditions and terroir that shape each vintage while striving to create something new and unexpected.”
Source: Forbes, Inside Dom Pérignon’s Champagne Tribute To Jean-Michel Basquiat
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