Baroque painting opened a new horizon in European art with its intense contrast of light and shadow, dynamic scene compositions, and depth of emotion that transcends reality. One of the most representative works is 'Bacchus,' painted by the Italian artist Caravaggio. It depicts Bacchus, the god of wine and festivities in Roman mythology, as a young and sensual human figure. Bacchus is adorned with a crown made of grape leaves and vines, holding a wine glass in his left hand as if offering it to the viewer.
Caravaggio's distinctive painting technique, which maximizes the contrast between light and shadow, greatly influenced later Baroque painters such as Rubens and Rembrandt. This stands in stark contrast to the ideal beauty, harmonious proportions, soft and uniform lighting, and noble portrayals emphasized in the preceding Renaissance period.
Baroque art is realistic, vivid, and passionate. Caravaggio did not hesitate to reveal the emotions and traces of life in his figures. Just as he painted Bacchus not in the majestic form of a god but as a realistic young man with a flushed face and languid expression, he also portrayed Jesus and the apostles as ordinary peasants. Some clergy criticized this as blasphemy.
Like Baroque painters capturing life at the boundary of light and shadow, the Champagne house Gosset in the Champagne region of France has maintained a tradition for hundreds of years of avoiding malolactic fermentation to preserve the energy and vitality of nature. Malolactic fermentation is a process that converts the sharp malic acid in grapes into soft lactic acid, lowering the acidity of wine. By skipping this process, Gosset maximizes the inherent acidity and freshness of the grapes and the characteristics provided by the terroir, aiming to encapsulate the energy and vitality of nature in the wine.
However, the first wine produced by Gosset was a non-sparkling red wine. Pierre Gosset established a winery in the village of Aÿ in the Champagne region of France in 1584, when Baroque art was emerging. For nearly 200 years after its establishment, the Gosset family concentrated on producing red wine, and Champagne wines gained such renown that they were served at the French royal table alongside Burgundy wines.
In the 18th century, as sparkling wine naturally emerged in the Champagne region, Gosset gradually began to increase champagne production, officially changing the winery's name to ‘Champagne Gosset’ in 1952, thereby focusing on champagne brewing. With a tradition spanning over 440 years, Gosset boasts the longest history among today’s champagne houses. In 2013, it was awarded the title of 'Living Heritage Company' by the French government. In 2024, it ranked 8th among the best champagne houses selected by the French wine publication La Revue du vin de France.
Gosset sources most of its grapes from over 200 farmers with whom it has maintained partnerships for more than 100 years. The vineyards span the entire Champagne region and are classified as Grand Cru and Premier Cru. To preserve the characteristics of each grape variety and the uniqueness of each region's terroir, the grapes are meticulously sorted and fermented by vineyard and variety.
Bottled at the end of spring, it is aged in the cellar for a minimum of four years, which is three times the legal requirement. This minimizes artificial intervention and allows the wine's structure and flavor to develop over time and in the natural flow. Notably, Gosset has continued the patented bottle shape from the 18th century. The unique bottle, characterized by a thin neck, wide body, and deep green color, is advantageous for long aging. During the extended aging period, it develops a creamy texture and complex aromas through contact with yeast.
Gosset Grande Réserve Brut is the representative champagne that best showcases the philosophy and tradition of the Gosset house. It is a blend of 45% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, and 10% Pinot Meunier. It has a bright golden color with elegant aromas of white flowers, dried fruits, and gingerbread that stimulate the appetite. The fresh acidity and minerality of the Chardonnay, the structure and depth of the Pinot Noir, and the rich fruitiness of the Pinot Meunier harmonize, leaving a long finish. It pairs well with a variety of foods, including oysters, shrimp, spicy duck, chicken dishes, and simple cheeses.
In 2020, it received a score of 93 from the wine magazine Decanter, 92 from the renowned wine critic James Suckling, and 92 from the wine magazine Wine Spectator. It also received the grand award in the sparkling wine category for over 100,000 won at the Korea Wine & Spirits Awards 2025. The import company is Les Vins.