About Perrier-Jouet Champagne
Perrier- Jouet, a Champagne known for its style, and elegance, just slips into the top 10 Champagne brands in the UK. Founded over 200 years ago, the brand has developed a very upmarket reputation and is immediately identified with the iconic, flower label bottle, and Belle Epoque premium Champagne, conjuring up the image of Paris in the late 19th century.
Perrier-Jouet is best known for its beautifully packaged, Belle Epoque Champagne, which is now the number 3 prestige Champagne in the world, after Cristal and Dom Perignon, and its unique label and eye-catching presentation, make it instantly recognisable.
Now selling over 3 million bottles worldwide and with ownership of 266 acres of vineyards, the tradition of elegance and style in the brand has been handed down through the 7 winemakers, who have built the legacy of Perrier-Jouet to date. The brand is now owned by the international premium drinks agency, Pernod Ricard International.
What's The Background To Perrier-Jouet?
Perrier-Jouet Champagne house was founded in 1811 by Pierre-Nicolas Perrier and Rose-Adelaide Jouet; whilst many of the Champagne houses were being established in or near Reims, Perrier-Jouet was set up in Epernay, situated in the Cote des blancs, the area of Champagne, producing most of the Chardonnay grapes for the traditional Champagne blends.
They were the first Champagne producers to fully appreciate the style and quality of the Chardonnay grape as part of the blend in Champagne, where it adds delicacy, freshness, and creamy liveliness; they purchased considerable plots of land in the now well established Avize and Cramant areas of the Epernay region. Continuing with their innovative nature, the founders were also the first to state a single vintage and a single vineyard (cru) on the label, in 1858, thereby recognising the individuality and high quality of specific years and locations.
Their son Charles, and following him, his nephew Gallice, were both innovators in their respective eras, and continue to take the brand forward in its premium, and stylish way. Both were very connected with artists, musicians, and supporters of the arts, especially in Paris; in 1902 the artist Emile Galle, one of the foremost artists of the ‘Art Nouveau’ period, was commissioned to create a new label for the brand – however the ideas were considered so evocative and ahead of their time, that they were left hidden in the cellars for years, until they were rediscovered in 1964.
The beauty of the bottles found, with their swirling Japanese white anemone flowers, perfectly captured the mood and style of the turn of the century, and the company decided to produce a superlative and very fine Champagne to match. Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque was relaunched soon after to celebrate the 70th birthday of the American jazz legend, Duke Ellington, at the famous Alcazar restaurant in Paris. The brand has always been associated with art and music.
What Styles Of Wine Does Perrier-Jouet Make?
With its base in Epernay, it is hardly surprising that the Perrier-Jouet range of Champagnes is known for its elegance, subtlety, and light, almost delicate style, with the heavier than normal proportion of Chardonnay in the blends.
Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut NV - the house style: delicate, stylish and ethereal, with white peach and delicate floral characteristics.
Perrier-Jouet Blason Rose NV - an intense, sublimely exotic style of rose, expertly crafted to yield ripe, crushed red berry flavours, and a sumptuous, ripe, yet dry flavour.
Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque – one of the most consistent and revered prestige cuvees of Champagne, lauded by critics and Champagne lovers alike. With a strong dominance of Chardonnay in the blend, this is an iconic wine, produced from grapes grown in the very best vineyards of the Cotes des blancs, supported by top quality Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. This top cuvee is only produced in exceptional vintages.
Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque Rose – a beautifully presented Rose, with the clear bottle and iconic white anemone label, showcasing the delicate, salmon pink hue of the Champagne, which again, follows, the ethereally elegant house style.
Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque blancs de blancs – the jewel in the crown of the range, this very special vintage Champagne truly defines the house style, being produced exclusively from the Chardonnay grape, grown on 2 of the most premium sites on the Cotes de Blancs. With its clear bottle, and iconic label, showcasing the golden colour of the wine, it is a ripe, very aromatic, fruit filled, but incredibly stylish Champagne, with restraint and serious elegance.