Dom Pierre Pérignon, O.S.B., (December 1638 â 14 September 1715) was a French Benedictine monk who made important contributions to the production and quality of Champagne wine in an era when the region’s wines were predominantly still red. Popular myths frequently, but erroneously, credit him with the invention of sparkling Champagne, however he did greatly improved the process of fermenting. The famous Champagne Dom Pérignon, the prestige cuvée of Moët & Chandon, is named for him. The remains of the monastery where he spent his adult life is now the property of that winery. The first vintage of Dom Pérignon was 1921 and was only released for sale in 1936. rochestermilitary.com