Richard Geoffroy, Dom Pérignon’s chef de cave since 1990

 
  The Civic Opera House, home to the Lyric Opera

When it comes to Champagne, there’s no bigger name than Dom Pérignon, the vintage-only bubbly that is created only in years that the harvest is perfectly suitable. And aficionados know that Dom’s pristine reputation is thanks to Richard Geoffroy, who has been the chef de cave and creator of Dom Pérignon since 1990. His palate reigns supreme: He alone has the final say as to whether or not a bottle qualifies as vintage. “The conditions of the harvest must be optimum to declare a vintage,” he says. “This is why you will not find a bottle of Dom Pérignon [released] each year.”

On February 10, Geoffroy follows in the footsteps of distinguished winemakers such as Robert Mondavi, Prince Robert of Luxembourg, and Pierre-Henry Gagey (from Maison Louis Jadot) as the guest of honor at the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 10th Wine Auction. Held every three years by the Lyric Opera Women’s Board, the fundraiser gathers oenophiles from around the globe who both dive into their cellars to donate rare bottles and dig into their wallets to bid big on hard-to-find vintages and varietals. During the last auction, in 2009, the board raised $1.2 million in proceeds, owing to an array of 233 auction lots that consisted of more than a thousand fine wines, as well as travel packages, fine-dining experiences, and more.

Geoffroy and the top-tier event are an ideal pairing. The premium spirit is made with the best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes found in the 17 Grand Cru vineyards in Champagne, France. According to Geoffroy, you’ll find subtle variations in appearance and flavor profile from vintage to vintage, but “each bottle strives to find the balance of the Dom Pérignon style.” He insists he doesn’t have a favorite and doesn’t consider one year superior over another. “Each vintage year carries its own experiences, challenges, successes—all of which are reflected in the wine,” he says.

In his role as an honored guest at the auction, Geoffroy will be celebrated with dinners, speeches, and toasts, and will address the crowd before the auction begins. With the inclusion of Geoffroy, the Women’s Board is expecting one of its most impressive events yet. Not only are wine collectors from around the world donating their own rare bottles of Dom, but Geoffroy is unearthing rare vintages from his own cellars. The lineup is expected to draw oenophiles from across the country to the event, which is regularly lauded as one of the top wine auctions in the world.