Perrier-Jouët Champagne — Belle Époque: floral elegance since 1811
Perrier-Jouët is one of Champagne’s most distinctive houses. Founded in 1811 in Épernay by Pierre Nicolas Perrier, the house has built its identity on a rare philosophy: allowing the Chardonnay to express itself in all its floral delicacy. Across its 65 hectares of estate-owned vineyards — 40 of which are planted with Chardonnay — the Grand Crus of Cramant andAvize, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, yield exceptional raw material. Vines averaging 23 years of age, vinification by grape variety, and the exclusive use of the first pressing: every detail contributes to this light and harmonious style. The house’s iconic cuvée, Belle Époque, owes its emblematic bottle to the Japanese anemones enamelled by Émile Gallé in 1902, a symbol of the close link between champagne and the decorative arts. Since 2020, Séverine Frerson, the house’s first female cellar master, has been upholding this art of floral elegance that sets Perrier-Jouët apart from all the other great Champagne houses.
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The Perrier-Jouët cuvées — from Grand Brut to Belle Époque
The range is organised into two families. The festive everyday cuvées — Grand Brut (round, full-bodied, perfect as an aperitif or with deep-sea oysters) and Blanc de Blancs (lively, crystal-clear, ideal with shellfish or a scallop tartare) — offer an accessible introduction to the world of Perrier-Jouët. The Blason Rosé pairs beautifully with lightly spiced dishes or fresh strawberries. The Belle Époque collection — comprising Brut, Belle Époque Blanc de Blancs and Belle Époque Rosé — takes things to a whole new level: sweetbreads, truffle risotto, herb-roasted poultry or simply a memorable moment of celebration.
Serve at 8–10 °C in a thin-walled champagne glass. The Grand Brut and Blanc de Blancs are best enjoyed within 3 to 5 years. The vintage Belle Époque cuvées have an ageing potential of 10 to 15 years and, over time, reveal notes of brioche, white truffle and candied citrus — a dimension that remains hidden in champagnes drunk too young.
All Perrier-Jouët cuvées selected by Pépites en Champagne are carefully packaged and delivered by express courier throughout France and Europe.
Perrier-Jouët — Two centuries of floral elegance in Épernay
Founded in 1811 in Épernay by Pierre Nicolas Perrier, the house established a reputation for elegance from the very outset, drawing on the chalky terroir of the Côte des Blancs. Its 65 hectares of vineyards — 40 of which are planted with Chardonnay, from vines averaging 23 years old — are situated in the Grand Cru villages of Cramant andAvize. In 1846, the house made history by producing one of Champagne’s first brut cuvées, at a time when sweet wines still dominated the market. Since 2005, Perrier-Jouët has been part of the Pernod-Ricard group.
The harvest, carried out in late September, is subject to rigorous standards: only the ‘cuvée’ – the first pressing, the finest and purest – is included in the final blend. Each grape variety is vinified separately by plot before being blended according to the traditional Champagne method. Since 2020, Séverine Frerson, the first woman to head the house’s cellar, has been taking this floral and precise style in new directions.
Your questions about Perrier-Jouët champagnes
What is the difference between Perrier-Jouët’s Grand Brut and Belle Époque?
The Grand Brut is the house’s entry-level cuvée: generous, well-rounded and immediately approachable, perfect as an aperitif or to accompany a seafood meal. La Belle Époque is the house’s flagship vintage cuvée, produced only in years deemed exceptional. More concentrated and complex, it reveals its full potential after a few years in the cellar.
What food and wine pairings go well with Perrier-Jouët champagne?
The Grand Brut and the Blanc de Blancs bring out the best in oysters, langoustines and delicate fish served with a light sauce. The Belle Époque Brut pairs well with sweetbreads, roast poultry or truffle risotto. La Belle Époque Rosé comes into its own with strawberries and pepper, a red berry dessert or a bluefin tuna carpaccio. Le Blason Rosé is ideal with lightly spiced dishes or semi-cured salmon.
How should Perrier-Jouët champagne be stored and served?
Store at 10–12 °C, lying down, away from light and vibrations. Serve at 8–10 °C in a thin-walled glass to preserve the aromas. The Grand Brut and Blanc de Blancs cuvées are best enjoyed within 3 to 5 years. The vintage Belle Époque wines can be kept for 10 to 15 years — great vintages for much longer — at which point they reveal notes of brioche, white truffle and honey.
Where can I buy Perrier-Jouët champagne online?
Discover the full Perrier-Jouët range at Pépites en Champagne — an artisanal selection, expert advice and express delivery throughout France and Europe.
How does the vintage Belle Époque develop over time in the cellar?
Produced only in vintages deemed exceptional by cellar master Séverine Frerson, La Belle Époque is built around Chardonnay from the Grand Crus of Cramant and Avize (vines averaging 23 years old). When young, it displays floral and fresh citrus notes. After 8 to 12 years in the cellar, it develops hints of brioche, white truffle and honey — a development that rival wines completely lack.
Why is the Belle Époque bottle so easily recognisable?
In 1902, Perrier-Jouët commissioned Émile Gallé, a master glassmaker from the École de Nancy and a leading figure of the Art Nouveau movement, to create a design featuring Japanese anemones enamelled directly onto the glass. This floral motif, which has become the house’s global visual signature, makes Belle Époque one of the few champagnes where the bottle itself is a work of art — and a mark of elegance that is instantly recognisable at the table.
About
Champagne Perrier-Jouët — the essentials
- Founded in
- 1811
- Founder
- Pierre Nicolas Perrier
- House / owner
- Pernod-Ricard (propriétaire depuis 2005)
- Location
- Épernay, Champagne — vignobles aux Grands Crus de Cramant et Avize
- Grape varieties
- Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
- Cellar master
- Séverine Frerson
- Cuvées
- Belle Époque Brut, Belle Époque Blanc de Blancs, Belle Époque Rosé, Grand Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Blason Rosé
