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Viinin Kuvailu
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!”
Vuosikerta 1979
A piercingly cold winter delayed the start of the growing season and was followed by a decidedly cool spring with some frosts in May. As a result, growth was subdued but initial flowering was good. The weather improved in June and July with nice sunshine and gentle heat creating excellent conditions for ripening. Despite rainfall during harvest, sugar and acidity levels remained high and disease pressure didn't mount too much of an assault, producing Champagnes of impressive character and length.
On top of quality, great quantity was also achieved, with an average crop of 11,061 kg/ha being picked between October 3rd and 31st. The Chardonnays were particularly successful and high-yielding. Krug Clos du Mesnil is sheer perfection, going from strength to strength over the years. There are plenty of great Champagnes still in outstanding form. They include Krug Vintage, Louis Roederer Cristal, as well as Lanson Vintage Collection and Noble Cuvée.
