Perrier Jouët Champagne

Perrier Jouët was established in 1811 by Pierre Nicolas-Marie Perrier, adding his wife's maiden name, Jouët, to name the house. It was the next generation, however, in the form of Charles Perrier, that did most to build up the reputation of the family business. Thanks to Charles Perrier, Perrier Jouët Champagne soon found its way onto the tables at several European courts. This success financed the construction of a fine chateau on the Avenue de Champagne. Control of Perrier Jouët passed first to nephew Henri Gallace, and then to Louis Budin, a family member by marriage. It was the Budin family that oversaw one of the great additions to the range of Champagnes produced by Perrier Jouët - La Belle Epoque (known as Fleur de Champagne in the USA). In 1959 the Mumm group took control, and subsequently the house was purchased by Seagram. The current owners are Pernod Ricard, who completed a successful takeover of previous owners the Allied Domecq Group in 2005.

The Perrier Jouët range includes the non vintage Grand Brut, 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinor Meunier and 20% Chardonnay, and the vintage Grand Brut, a similar blend with just 10% more Chardonnay and 10% less Pinot Meunier than the non vintage cuvée. Both can be excellent. In addition there is Blason de France, a non vintage cuvée launched in 1965. This is a blend of almost one third of each of the three main Champagne grapes, although there is also a Blason de France Rosé which has a little more Pinot Noir and less Chardonnay.