Champagne house Perrier-Jouët: elegance, floral splendour and the art of blending
The Perrier-Jouët champagne house is one of the most renowned and style-defining houses in Champagne. With over 200 years of history, it stands for delicate, floral champagnes of exceptional finesse. Perrier-Jouët is particularly well known for its iconic "Belle Epoque" bottle, decorated with delicate white anemones - a symbol of the combination of art and champagne creations. But behind the aesthetic beauty lies a deep craftsmanship: Perrier-Jouët focuses on slow maturation, precise cuvée blends and an unmistakable style that delights champagne lovers worldwide.
The beginnings: a love story and a visionary heritage
The story of Perrier-Jouët begins in 1811, when Pierre-Nicolas Perrier, a young wine merchant, marries Adèle Jouët. Together they founded the champagne house "Perrier-Jouët" in Épernay. Adèle not only contributed her dowry, but also her knowledge of English markets - a decisive advantage, as Great Britain was one of the most important markets for champagne at the time. Early on, the house focused on exports and developed a champagne style characterised by lightness and elegance, unlike the often more powerful wines of the time.
A milestone was the realisation that the best champagnes come from carefully selected parcels and vintages. As early as 1854, Perrier-Jouët classified its vineyards according to quality - a revolutionary idea that was later adopted by the entire Champagne region.
Terroir and vines: The Grand Cru dominance
Perrier-Jouët owns around 65 hectares of vineyards, 99% of which come from Grand Cru and Premier Cru sites. The centrepiece lies in Cramant, Avize and Mailly-Champagne - three of the best terroirs in Champagne. The Chardonnay grapes from Cramant in particular give the Champagnes their typical floral freshness and mineral structure.
Cramant & Avize: These villages in the Côte des Blancs are famous for their chalky soils, which produce Chardonnays of exceptional purity.
Mailly-Champagne: One of the few Grand Cru communes in the Montagne de Reims, known for its powerful, age-worthy Pinot Noir grapes.
Perrier-Jouët relies on a high proportion of Chardonnay in its cuvées, which gives the champagnes a special lightness and variety of flavours.
The art of blending: the signature of the Chef de Cave
What particularly characterises Perrier-Jouët is the art of blending: unlike many other houses that focus on distinctive vintage champagnes, Perrier-Jouët creates cuvées from several vintages in order to maintain a distinctive style.
The current Chef de Cave, Séverine Frerson, relies on three principles:
Long ageing: the reserve wines are often stored in Perrier-Jouët's cellars for years before being added to the final cuvée.
Precise dosage: The "liqueur d'expédition" (sugar syrup) is added very carefully in order to preserve the natural freshness of the wines.
Floral aromas: Special yeast strains and cool fermentation create delicate notes of white peach, acacia and fresh pear.
The icons: Belle Epoque, Blason Rosé & Grand Brut
Perrier-Jouët's portfolio includes some of the most elegant champagnes in the world:
Belle Epoque: probably the house's most famous champagne, packaged in the ornately painted bottle. It is made from Grand Cru Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and is characterised by aromas of citrus, almond blossom and a salty minerality.
Blason Rosé: A rosé champagne with fine berry fruit, which is given a delicate salmon colour by its saignée method (short-time maceration of the Pinot Noir skins).
Grand Brut: The classic cuvée of the house, fresh and accessible, with notes of green apple and fresh bread.
Sustainability and the future
Perrier-Jouët is strongly committed to sustainable viticulture. Since 2012, all of its own vineyards have been HVE-certified (Haute Valeur Environnementale), and the estate is experimenting with biodynamic methods. The aim is to preserve the unique terroirs of Champagne for future generations.
Conclusion: A champagne house with soul
Perrier-Jouët stands for more than just sparkling luxury - it embodies a philosophy of harmony between nature, craftsmanship and art. Every sip tells of the chalky soils of Champagne, the patience of long maturation and the passion of the winegrowers. Whether as an aperitif or with fine dishes: A glass of Perrier-Jouët is always a feast for the senses.
1. key historical data
Founded: 1811 by Pierre-Nicolas Perrier and Rose-Adélaïde Jouët in Épernay
Ownership: Owned by the Budin family since 1856, now part of the Pernod Ricard Group
Production volume: Approx. 3 million bottles/year (smaller than Moët or Veuve Clicquot)
2. specialities & innovations
Blossom Champagne: Famous for the "Belle Époque" series with Japanese anemone blossoms on the bottles (since 1964)
First Brut Champagne: Developed one of the first dry Champagne styles in 1856
Art Deco heritage: The iconic floral decoration was designed by Art Nouveau artist Émile Gallé in 1902
3. vineyard sites & style
Main sites:
Cramant (Grand Cru) for Chardonnay
Aÿ and Dizy (Grand Cru) for Pinot Noir
Proportion of grape varieties:
50% Chardonnay
45% Pinot Noir
5% Pinot Meunier
Signature style: Elegant, floral champagne with mineral freshness
4. flagship cuvées
| The name | Composition | Ageing period | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belle Époque | Grand Cru Chardonnay/Pinot Noir | 6 years | €150-€300 |
| Belle Époque Rosé | 50% Pinot Noir (incl. 15% red wine) | 7 years | €200-€400 |
| Grand Brut | 40% reserve wines | 3 years | €50-€80 |
| Blason Rosé | Pinot Noir-dominant | 4 years | €70-€100 |
6. ecological initiatives
Sustainable cultivation: 100% of our own vineyards are HVE-certified (Haute Valeur Environnementale)
Climate-neutral production: target by 2030
Lightweight glass bottles: Reduction of the CO₂ footprint by 25%
7. economic facts
Turnover: Estimated €120 million/year
Export share: 85% (top markets: USA, Japan, UK)
Market position: #7 of the world's largest champagne brands
8. sensory profile (Belle Époque)
Aroma: White peaches, acacia blossom, mineral notes
Perlage: Fine and persistent (over 1,000 bubbles/cm³)
Drinking temperature: 8-10°C
Ageing potential: 10-15 years
9. curiosities
Shipwreck bottles: 1914 bottles were salvaged from a wreck in 1998 - still drinkable
Record price: €25,000 for a magnum of Belle Époque 1959 at auction
Space champagne: Proposed for a NASA mission in 1985 (not realised)
10. current developments (2024)
New cuvée: "Belle Époque Éternelle" (matured for longer)
AI project: algorithm-supported assemblage optimisation
Luxury expansion: New lounge in the Paris flagship store
Perrier-Jouët combines artistic elegance with oenological precision like no other champagne. As the epitome of the "floral style", it remains an unmistakable brand in the premium segment