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Wine Description
The Story
Since early years, the production of Belle Epoque has grown year after year. Belle Epoque Rosé was created in 1976. The excellent vintage of Chardonnay in 1993 inspired Hervé Deschamps, cellar master at Perrier-Jouët, to produce a small quantity of Blanc de Blancs:
-“The production is very small-scale – only one per cent of all Belle Epoque champagnes. The grapes are grown almost exclusively in one of our top vineyards in Cramant. Rosé makes up 8 per cent of the sales, and we hope to see that figure grow. Despite the larger volume we now produce, the production is still expensive: high levels of humidity and the way the bottles are piled take their toll on the gilding. The cost of a bottle without any contents is 10 euros!”
A multi-sensorial wine, made up of delicate and complex harmonies: a perfect balance between the character of the generous year and the House style.
Delicious with desserts that combine the fondant with the crunchy, its flavours will express themselves consummately if served between 10 and 12° (the temperature can also be slightly higher if accompanying a meal). If conditions allow, you may keep your Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé 2004 for over ten years.
Wine Information
The other champagne dynasties founded before the end of Napoleon’s era may boast with noble origins or at least with well-off founders, but not so with Perrier-Jouët. The Ruinart and Clicquot families were wealthy merchants; the Moët family was part of the local nobility. Perriers had been craftsmen and their social status started to change only during the 18th century. Pierre Nicolas-Marie Perrier founded the champagne house in 1811. Because the name Perrier was not unusual enough, he combined it with Jouët, the maiden name of his wife.
Under the guidance of Charles Perrier, the next generation built the foundation for the success of Perrier-Jouët, both in the royal courts of Europe and among British customers. Charles, the youngest of Pierre Nicolas’s sons was the one most interested in his fathers’ business. English language was a prerequisite for working on the champagne market, and young Charles was sent to London to learn the language in 1834. The young man was positive, energetic, lively, and he had what it took to succeed in the trade. In 1835 Charles announced that he was ready to return home and get back to work – with limitless amounts of energy to put into his fathers’ business.
Perrier-Jouët became wealthier and emerged gradually as a competitor to Moët and Ruinart. Strong ties to Britain were strengthened, and by the year 1847 some 75 % of the production was sold to the British. Perrier-Jouët was a pioneer in producing dry champagne, which the British loved.
Perrier-Jouët was one of the most prestigious dry champagnes, but it was also the result of some ambitious product development. When vintage wines became the name of the game, Perrier-Jouët was the first to mark vintage dates on corks in 1858. A decade later, it started printing them on the labels as well. This development marked also the beginning of a market divided between non-vintage and the more expensive vintage champagnes.
Since those early years, the production of Belle Epoque has grown year after year. Belle Epoque Rosé was created in 1976. The excellent vintage of Chardonnay in 1993 inspired Hervé Deschamps, cellar master at Perrier-Jouët, to produce a small quantity of Blanc de Blancs:
-“The production is very small-scale – only one per cent of all Belle Epoque champagnes. The grapes are grown almost exclusively in one of our top vineyards in Cramant. Rosé makes up 8 per cent of the sales, and we hope to see that figure grow. Despite the larger volume we now produce, the production is still expensive: high levels of humidity and the way the bottles are piled take their toll on the gilding. The cost of a bottle without any contents is 10 euros!”
Vintage 2002
A cold winter and a mild late spring cued for a perfect June allowing early and fast flowering. Outstanding weather conditions prevailed and the season went on without dramatic turns. Rains in August raised concerns regarding gray rot, but finally sunshine and dry conditions throughout September resulted in an abundant crop of largely healthy fruit (11,930 kg/ha). Dehydration due to wind further aided in achieving perfect ripeness and additional concentration. This, and the cool nights, helped in retaining fresh acidity and, despite the ripeness (10.3% potential alcohol), the wines did not suffer from heaviness or a lack of life. A near-perfect vintage, which produced balanced Champagnes consistently around the region. The best show an impeccable combination of freshness, power, structure and finesse. However, some have matured aromatically quicker than expected and are already past their peak. 2002 produced an abundance of spectacular champagnes, such as Dom Pérignon (the entire range), Krug Vintage and Clos du Mesnil, Piper-Heidsieck Rare, Louis Roederer Cristal and Cristal Rosé, Ruinart Dom Ruinart and Dom Ruinart Rosé, Salon Le Mesnil and Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, to name a few.
