Moet was established in 1743 and began its history of supplying the aristocracy and Royalty a few years later, when it recruited Madame de Pompadour, who, among her other talents, poved an able Champagne saleswoman. Napoleon`s favourite Champagne house entertained him lavishly too, though later Wellington became an important customer. In the 1920s Moet introduced Dom Perignon, the first prestige cuvee of any house and now produce 5 million bottles each vintage and in 1962 became the first Champagne house to gain a full listing on hte Paris Stock Exchange. Now the main player in LVMH, Moet averages 26 million bottles per year with nearly 2000 employees. Star player is the legendary Richard Geoffroy, their cellar master. (CW 09/07/10)