Jean-Rémy Moët

During his military campaigns, Napoleon would always make it an objective to visit the Moët estate at Épernay to pick up cases of champagne.

[2] On 14 March 1814, just a few weeks before Paris was to fall during the War of the Sixth Coalition, Napoleon stayed at his friend's estate and awarded him the Légion d'honneur cross for his distinguished service to France in increasing its worldwide reputation for wine.

In retaliation for Napoleon's earlier conquest, the Champenois were subjected to large fines and ordered to pay requisitions.

Instead of resisting, Moët told his friends "All of those soldiers who are ruining me today will make my fortune tomorrow.

"[4] Moët's words were prophetic as in the ensuing years, the House of Moët saw a boom in sales and prestige with clients from around the world visiting their cellars and making purchases including the former Napoleonic foes Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, Frederick William III of Prussia, William II of the Netherlands, Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor and Czar Alexander I of Russia.