Perrier-Jouët: 2016 ‘will be a vintage year’

Perrier-Jouët has launched two prestige cuvées – the Belle Epoque 2008 and Belle Epoque Rosé 2007 in magnum – with its chef de cave Hervé Deschamps also confirming a string of upcoming vintage release years, including the divisive 2016.

The Belle Epoque 2008 carries an RRP of £130

The pair of prestige cuvées were launched at a tasting hosted by its chef de cave, Hervé Deschamps, at the Perrier-Jouët room at Searceys at the Gherkin yesterday.

Aged for six years, the 2008 Belle Epoque is made from a blend of 50% Chardonnay sourced from the grand crus of Cramant and Avize, 45% Pinot Noir and 5% of Pinot Meunier from Dizy, with a dosage of 9g/litre.

Speaking about the 2008 Deschamps noted its aromas of elderberry and primroses describing it as “elegant with a hint of perfume” and notes of poached fruit, yellow citrus and grapefruit on the palate.

When asked about comparisons to other vintages, Deschamps said: “It’s difficult to compare with 2002. For me it’s nearer to the 1988. It’s the same level of acidity for this kind of wine. 2002 is perhaps more Chardonnay but less acidity. It’s a very good balance. 2004 had more exotic fruit aromas, while 2006 was more vinous in the mouth.”

Deschamps also revealed a string of vintage releases for the coming years, with 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 all confirmed as vintage years, the latter seemingly bucking a trend in a year that was widely considered a challenging vintage in Champagne.

Piper Heidsieck’s Regis Camus recently described the 2016 vintage in Champagne as “a nightmare”, with frost killing nearly all of its vines in the Côte des Bar.

However assessment of the 2016 vintage has been far from consistent, with others reporting favourable conditions and promising quality.

Anne Malassagne, co-owner of AR Lenoble in the Côtes de Blancs, speaking to the drinks business last month, said that while it was too early to decide if 2016 will be a vintage year, the quality of the grapes was “unexpected”.

For Perrier-Jouët, according to Deschamps, 2016 was a “good year” and will result in a vintage release, but did confirm that production volumes had declined by around 15% with frost occurring at the beginning of May.

Speaking more widely about the Champagne market, Deschamps noted a particular uptick in the volumes being shipped to Australia, with the category seeing a 20% uplift in the past year.

Its second release, the Belle Epoque Rosé 2007 is currently only available in magnum but is described as having “crisp, fruity notes of raspberries, wild strawberries, sour cherry and orange with hints of spice and cream”, with hints of “orange confit and white peach”.

Both releases are housed in Perrier-Jouët’s trademark art nouveau bottle, which was designed in 1902 by Emile Gallé and feature real gold leaf.

The Belle Epoque 2008 carries an RRP of £130, and the Belle Epoque Rosé 2007 Magnum £435, with both available from Harvey Nichols. The Belle Epoque Rosé 2007 75cl will be available from July 2018.

Perrier-Jouët’s chef de cave, Hervé Deschamps