Champagne Perrier-Jouët has unveiled the new 2002 vintage of Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque, the first great vintage of the new millennium. To mark the release the brand has launched an online art game, providing the entrants with a unique opportunity to win the «Art of Vintage» book.
To celebrate the launch of the House’s inaugural vintage of the 21st Century, Champagne Perrier-Jouët opened its cellar doors and organised a legendary tasting with ten of the world’s top wine and champagne experts. These aficionados tasted 20 historic vintages from the House’s own cellars, from the oldest vintage in Champagne (Perrier-Jouët 1825) to the first vintage of the new millennium. The private event, which took place earlier this year, demonstrated the consistency of the house style and excellence of craftsmanship spanning over two centuries.
Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque 2002 is a very elegant cuvée: the quality and finesse of the Chardonnay shines through the power and structure of the Pinot Noir. Citrus notes of grapefruit and pineapple are sustained by a little vanilla on the palate, which is beautifully balanced and rounded with a long, elegant finish. The champagne was aged for six years before disgorgement to maintain great balance and freshness.
The House is world-renowned for its ‘avant-garde’ spirit, which finds its purest expression in the iconic prestige cuvée ‘Belle Epoque’ and its legendary Emile Gallé 1902 anemone bottle. Champagne Perrier-Jouët constantly seeks to maintain an aesthetic and artistic dimension to the House and the champagnes. Again, to mark the release of the 2002 vintage, talented Japanese art photographer Makiko Takehara, inspired by the art House story, has brought her own artistic vision. She interpreted each vintage through the artistic aspects that marked each exceptional year, turning champagne into a work of art.
It was proposed that, following the legendary tasting, a book reflecting the historic and aesthetic odyssey through 20 legendary Perrier-Jouët vintages should be compiled. Let by Serena Sutcliffe MW, Head of the International Wine Department at Sotherby’s, ‘The Art of Vintage’ is being published by Jacqui Small (Aurum press) with Perrier-Jouët’s assistance. From December, 18 to January, 31 2010 visit www.perrier-jouet.com, match the four works of art by Makiko Takehara with the people who inspired them and win the limited-edition Perrier-Jouët book, ‘The Art of Vintage’.