Perrier-Jouët
When thinking of Champagne that blends art, finesse, and a distinctive floral signature, Perrier-Jouët, and especially its prestige cuvée Belle Époque, stands at the top of the list. For over two centuries, the house has cultivated an aesthetic where nature and artistry are just as important as the grapes in the vineyard — and you can taste it in the glass.
The History and Current Ownership of Perrier-Jouët
Maison Perrier-Jouët was founded in 1811 by Pierre-Nicolas Perrier and Rose-Adélaïde Jouët in Épernay. The couple shared a deep love for nature and art; from the beginning, they made Chardonnay a key element of the house style, and Perrier-Jouët has maintained a distinct preference for elegant, floral Champagnes ever since.
In modern times, Perrier-Jouët is part of the large wine and spirits group Pernod Ricard, which acquired the house in the mid-2000s. Under this umbrella, Perrier-Jouët has maintained its independent identity, while gaining access to resources that have helped develop winemaking, sustainability initiatives, and international collaborations.
Perrier-Jouët's vineyards and Locations
Perrier-Jouët is located in the heart of Champagne, in Épernay, and owns significant land in the Côte des Blancs, particularly in the Grand Cru villages of Cramant and Avize, where Chardonnay thrives on chalk-rich soils. These parcels give the house's Champagnes their signature chalky minerality and floral profile.
The house also sources grapes from other prominent areas of Champagne to balance blends with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier when needed.
Winemaking Philosophy and Production Methods at Perrier-Jouët
The maison’s approach combines tradition and innovation: the goal is to preserve the refined, floral style with a clear Chardonnay backbone, while applying strict grape selection and slow, precise fermentation techniques. Over the years, the house has had only a few, long-serving chefs de cave (cellar masters) — a practice that ensures consistency in style and quality.
In 2020, Perrier-Jouët marked a generational shift by appointing Séverine Frerson as its eighth chef de cave, and the first woman in the role. Her leadership has also brought renewed focus on regenerative viticulture and sustainability in the vineyards.
Production methods often include long fermentation and sometimes extended aging on the lees (sur lies) to develop complexity, as well as careful blending (assemblage) to preserve the house signature. For prestige cuvées like Belle Époque, only top-quality parcels and often Grand Cru grapes are used.
In practice, the house follows a Chardonnay-driven style, but the exact composition varies by vintage and cuvée to ensure the ideal balance between freshness, aromatics, and structure.
Fun fact: The iconic anemone decoration on the Belle Époque bottle was inspired by a magnum bottle decorated in 1902 by Émile Gallé, a renowned Art Nouveau artist — a motif that has become synonymous with the house.
Overview of Perrier-Jouët’s Champagne Range
Perrier-Jouët produces several key cuvées, ranging from accessible non-vintage blends to the exclusive prestige segment:
Perrier-Jouët Blason (Grand Brut / Grand Brut Rosé): Often positioned as the house’s classic, approachable NV cuvée, offering a good balance of freshness and fruit.
Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut (Non-vintage): The house’s signature NV, with a focus on finesse and floral notes.
Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque (Prestige Cuvée): A vintage Champagne presented in the iconic bottle decorated with anemones. Belle Époque is available in blanc and rosé versions and is only produced in selected vintages, when quality is at its highest. The cuvée was introduced in 1964, but the anemone motif dates back to 1902.
Top 10 Best Vintages of Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque
Belle Époque is only released in years when the grape quality meets the house’s high standards. Some vintages have become particularly legendary among collectors and Champagne connoisseurs. Here are ten of the most acclaimed:
1964: The very first vintage of Belle Époque — a true collector's item.
1971: Known for its complexity and longevity — one of the most iconic older vintages.
1976: A warm year that produced powerful, ripe wines with rare fullness for Belle Époque.
1982: A classic vintage in Champagne, also for Perrier-Jouët — balanced, rich, and elegant.
1985: An excellent year with great intensity.
1996: Frequently highlighted as one of Champagne’s greatest 20th-century vintages, known for its acidity and aging potential.
2002: Very pure, floral, and mineral — considered one of the best Belle Époque vintages in recent times.
2008: Classic and elegant — a year with high acidity and precision, expected to age beautifully for decades.
2012: Offers a combination of strength and finesse, already highly praised for its harmony.
2013: A cool year resulting in a Champagne with clarity, minerality, and impressive freshness.
These vintages are among the most sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts, but the more recent ones (2008, 2012, 2013) are still available on the market and can be enjoyed for many decades to come.
Champagne Masterclass
Thirsty for more facts about Champagne? Read our Masterclass on the Champagne region.
FAQ about Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque Champagne
Belle Époque is Perrier-Jouët’s prestige cuvée - a vintage Champagne presented in a decorative bottle featuring the anemone motif. It is only produced in years when the house’s cellar masters determine that grape quality has reached the highest standard.
Belle Époque is typically elegant, with aromas of white flowers, pear, and white stone fruits, often a light brioche/toasted note from aging, and a fine minerality, especially in vintages with high Chardonnay content from the Côte des Blancs.
Generally, no. Prestige Champagnes like Belle Époque are best enjoyed directly from the bottle at fridge temperature in a good Champagne glass. If the bottle has been chilled for a long time, letting it sit at room temperature for a few minutes can help open the aromas.
Vintage prestige Champagnes can often age beautifully for 10 to 30 years, depending on the vintage. The most structured years typically age longer and develop tertiary notes like nuts, honey, and toasted bread.
Belle Époque is Perrier-Jouët’s prestige cuvée - a vintage Champagne presented in a decorative bottle featuring the anemone motif. It is only produced in years when the house’s cellar masters determine that grape quality has reached the highest standard.
Generally, no. Prestige Champagnes like Belle Époque are best enjoyed directly from the bottle at fridge temperature in a good Champagne glass. If the bottle has been chilled for a long time, letting it sit at room temperature for a few minutes can help open the aromas.
Belle Époque is typically elegant, with aromas of white flowers, pear, and white stone fruits, often a light brioche/toasted note from aging, and a fine minerality, especially in vintages with high Chardonnay content from the Côte des Blancs.
Vintage prestige Champagnes can often age beautifully for 10 to 30 years, depending on the vintage. The most structured years typically age longer and develop tertiary notes like nuts, honey, and toasted bread.