Champagne Perrier-Jouët - Grand Brut

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

As part of the Pernod-Ricard group, the house draws on its 65-hectare vineyard, almost entirely composed of grand cru vineyards, two-thirds of which are planted with Chardonnay in Cramant and Avize, including two legendary plots—Bourons Leroy and Bourons du Midi—reserved for the Belle-Époque cuvée. Now featuring a rosé and a blanc de blancs, Belle-Époque offers a complete and successful range, which is beginning to be reimagined by the excellent Sévérine Frerson, the new cellar master. The rest of the range is delicious and widely appreciated.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

The house was founded during the First Empire (1811) by Pierre-Nicolas Perrier, a cork merchant from Épernay who also owned vineyards, and by Adèle Jouët. Their son, Charles, expanded the business, particularly into England, where it became a supplier to Queen Victoria. The house prides itself on having produced the first brut champagne (1854) and is also among the pioneers in vintage wines. Having become one of the jewels in the crown of the giant Pernod-Ricard in 2005, it draws on a 65-hectare vineyard (in Cramant and Avize, in the Côte des Blancs; in Mailly in the Montagne de Reims; and in Aÿ and Dizy in the Grande Vallée de la Marne). Chardonnay is a prominent component in its cuvées. Screen-printed on the bottle, the Art Nouveau anemones designed in 1902 by Émile Gallé have adorned the Belle Époque vintage cuvée since 1964. In 2020, Hervé Deschamps handed over the reins of the winery to Séverine Frerson, who had already been working alongside him.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the estate:

Founded in 1811 by Pierre-Nicolas Perrier and Rose-Adélaïde Jouët, Perrier-Jouët specializes in Chardonnay and owns a 65-hectare vineyard, half of which is located in the Grand Cru villages of Cramant and Avize. Its bottle, featuring a screen print by Émile Gallé, a leading figure of Art Nouveau, is instantly recognizable. The house has been owned by the Pernod-Ricard group since 2005. Séverine Frerson, the cellar master, oversees the range, particularly the “Belle Époque” cuvées, which are simply superb. The estate welcomes you on Avenue de Champagne in Épernay to its magnificent “Belle Époque cellar.”

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Like Mumm, Perrier-Jouët has been part of the Pernod-Ricard group since 2005. The house produces champagnes with a pronounced Chardonnay character, due to vineyards located primarily in Cramant and Avize, featuring a full-bodied, opulent style championed by cellar master Hervé Deschamps, who joined Perrier-Jouët in 1983. Its famous Belle Époque bottle, designed and created in 1902 by Émile Gallé, has produced some truly beautiful bottles, but also a few disappointments in certain vintages. Unfortunately, prices have skyrocketed.

Jancis Robinson

About the wine:

Distinct autolytic character on the nose. Classic biscuit notes on the palate. Full-bodied and lively. More red fruit than lemon or citrus, supported by firm acidity, a fine mousse, and a lingering finish.

James Suckling