As Allied troops invaded Germany and the Nazi regime collapsed, a division of the French Resistance reached the top of the six-thousand-foot mountain where Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest stood. The private Nazi retreat was an engineering marvel with stunning views and accessed by an elaborate elevator which was disabled when the Allies arrived. A Maquis named Bernard de Nonancourt was among the first to climb the mountain and enter the stronghold where he and his fellow soldiers broke through the steel doors revealing a treasure trove of stolen French wine in a network of underground tunnels. Tens of thousands of bottles of the finest Bordeaux, Cognac, and Champagne that had been appropriated by the Nazis were reclaimed that day.
In 1939 Marie-Louise Lanson de Nonancourt, widow and mother of two sons, purchased the Laurent-Perrier champagne house. The elder son, Maurice, ran the business and the younger son, Bernard, worked and gained experience. In 1942, while Nazi propaganda proclaimed champagne an incendiary weapon created by French terrorists, Maurice and Bernard witnessed the pillaging of truckloads of the best French champagne orchestrated by top German officials for their personal enjoyment. Called to action to oppose the cruelty and hypocrisy of the Nazi regime, Maurice, and later Bernard, joined the French Resistance.
Maurice was captured and held in a German prison camp where he fell ill and died or was possibly murdered in a gas chamber with other sick prisoners. Motivated by his brother’s death, Bernard’s service continued as he provided intelligence in support of the Normandy landing, helped to liberate the Dachau concentration camp, and according to his own account was part of the first regiment to enter the Eagle’s Nest.
As the French fighters loaded up stretchers with cases of fine wine and spirits to remove from the tunnels, Bernard noticed a case of the highly prestigious Salon 1928 champagne, one that he and his brother had witnessed being stolen by the Nazis in 1942. The liberation of wine and champagne representing the essence of French culture and national pride was a fitting vengeance for the Nazi horrors inflicted on Bernard’s family and country.
Bernard de Nonancourt returned home to run Laurent-Perrier in his brother’s place. He served as president for more than 50 years and expanded the company to become the third largest seller of champagne by 2005. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 90. His two daughters continue to run Laurent-Perrier.
In celebration of the New Year here are Boozy Lifestyle’s sparkling wine recommendations.
Champagne
Super high end ($250 – $350):
- Dom Perignon
- Roderer Cristal
Moderate ($60 – $90):
- Laurent-Perrier Brut NV
- Veuve Clicquot (yellow label)
- Moet & Chandon
- Tattinger
- Bollinger
For bargains, look for sparkling wines that are not from Champagne (under $20):
- Italy – Bricco Quaglia Moscato D’Asti from La Spinetta, and Prosecco – Bele Casel, Ca Furlan Beatrice, Ruffino
- France – Crémant – Lucien Albrecht Brut Crémant d’ Alsace
- Spain – Cava – Vilarnau, Freixenet
Mid-range California Sparklers ($20 – $40):
- California – Roderer Estate Brut Anderson Valley (personal favorite)
- J Vineyards Cuvee 20 NV
- Domaine Chandon Napa
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