Launch Archives

Louis Roederer Releases Cristal Vinothèque

Champagne Louis Roederer has released the first of its limited edition, extra-aged Cristal, known as ‘Vinothèque’.

The release covers both the 1995 brut and 1996 rosé, which were disgorged over 10 years ago but then kept back in Roederer’s cellars for further aging.

The Vinothèque wines have a slightly lower dosage of 7g/l compared with the usual 9g/l for the standard Cristal expression due to longer lees ageing.

Just 400 bottles of the brut and 200 bottles of the rosé have been released meaning global allocations are extremely tight.

No larger formats have been released – this time. Both wines were introduced by the house at a “surrealist spectacular” at their head office early October to celebrate their 241st anniversary.

Although Roederer’s executive vice-president, Michel Janneau, conceded that the amount of wine released was “infinitesimally small”, he added, “fear not – it is not without sequel; other vintages will follow this.”

KRUG RELEASES 2002 VINTAGE IN LONDON, UK

Champagne house Krug launched its 2002 vintage in London, UK this week, with cellar master Eric Lebel dubbing it “a purebred stallion” that needed to be reined in due to its “assertive” and “muscular” nature.

Lebel revealed that the wines produced in 2002 had a clear identity from the outset. “From the very first tastings, we saw nature’s generosity in every parcel. The wines announced themselves as round, rich, robust, dominated by fruit and particularly aromatic. As they have continued to develop, we have seen in this blend a remarkable finesse and finish too. It is almost as if each of the 2002 wines that we have chosen to compose Krug 2002 could be their own assemblage.”

Crafted from 40% Pinot Noir, 39% Chardonnay and and, as always in Krug cuvées, there is a high percentage of Pinot Meunier – 21 %; Olivier Krug was equally enthusiastic about the fizz, calling it “an ode to nature” due to its “abundance of pure fruit” and “audacious elegance”.

Cellar master Eric Lebel describes “when making the blend, each individual wine seemed as if it was a blend as the vins clairs were so generous and expressive – the wines had everything, from exotic fruit and citrus fruit to candied fruit, liquorice and honey – everything was in abundance.

Krug 2002 be released on February 1 and each bottle will bear a six-digit code on the back label. This number can be used to find out details on the harvest, Lebel’s tasting notes, food pairing ideas, and recommendations for optimum storage and serving. The price is yet to be revealed.

Perrier Jouët designs new champagne for affluent clubbers

Affluent young Americans are the target audience of Perrier Jouët’s new Nuit Blanche champagne sub-brand which will be sold in clubs.

Perrier Jouët’s century-old design has been revamped with an edgy” new look. The hand-drawn anemone flower, which has been part of the Perrier Jouët brand since being created by Belle-Epouqe artist Émile Gallé in 1902, has been redesigned with “fresh green, white and gold” outlines to create a more dynamic feel.

Liz Palmer
@Champagnehouses

Perrier-Jouët unveils “Belle Epoque Florale Edition by Makoto Azuma, the first designed Limited Edition of Belle Epoque since Emile Gallé in 1902

How does one pay homage to the heritage and craftsmanship of one of the world’s most refined luxury champagne brands, referencing the past, but also challenging aesthetic boundaries and generating enough visual impact to create something that is genuinely new and exciting? That was the formidable challenge facing floral artist extraordinaire Makoto Azuma, owner of Tokyo flower shop Jardins des Fleurs, when he was approached by the prestigious 200-year-old champagne house Perrier-Jouët to design the first ever limited-edition bottle for its Belle Époque prestige cuvée champagne.

The first designed Limited Edition of cuvee Belle Epoque, since the creation of its iconic anemones by Emile Gallé in 1902 was originally inspired by Japanese art culture, and has become the iconic image of Perrier-Jouët artistic heritage through its prestige cuvee. Challenging the aesthetic boundaries, Makoto Azuma created a unique combined artwork, made of a single delicate botanical arabesque dotted with white Japanese anemones. These recall the original 1902 design, which is further reinforced with a handcrafted motif of golden flowers on the bottle of Belle Epoque 2004, carefully selected by Cellar Master Hervé Deschamps.

The artist explains: “I wanted to make something extraordinary, taking inspiration from the sensation of champagne inside the mouth, and the delicate movement of the ivy and leaves with a special attention and tribute given to Emile Gallé’s anemones”.

Commissioning Japanese artist Makoto Azuma came as a natural choice for Perrier-Jouët; Emile Gallé chose white Japanese anemones for its original design in 1902 because of his passion for botany but also his admiration for Japanese art that draws inspiration from the primal force of nature, the true spirit of the Art Nouveau movement.

Lionel Breton, Chairman & CEO Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouët explained: “Makoto Azuma and Perrier-Jouët share the same values of tradition, passion for Nature, and genuine originality and we are delighted to have found in M. Azuma the Emile Gallé of modern times through his unique creation”

From the specific choice of flowers, to the endless series of adjustments and motif on the bottle itself, Belle Epoque Florale Edition perfectly expresses the luxurious and craftsmanship cues of Perrier-Jouët, whilst delivering a contemporary vision of beauty.

Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Florale Edition will be available only in very limited quantities worldwide from September onwards, in the most exclusive outlets in Perrier-Jouët main distribution markets at an average RSP of 300 euros.

Four Seasons Hotel Milano launches Champagne Bar

Four Seasons Hotel Milano has recently introduced a new destination for lovers of bubbly and beyond the “Champagne Bar”. Laid out in the Hotel’s historic courtyard garden, the stylish bar rewards guests with nose-tickling Champagnes by Pommery and hors d’oeuvres by Executive Chef Sergio Mei.

The verdant courtyard garden was originally designed in the 15th century by Italian landscape architect Paolo Pejrone and is a magical setting of tulip trees, evergreen shrubs, flowering pitosforo which is immaculately maintained.

The Champagne Bar has been created in collaboration with Pommery, the renowned Reims-based Champagne house whose partnership with Four Seasons Hotel Milano goes back several years. The Champagne list includes Champagne Pommery Apanage Brut, Champagne Pommery Cuvée Louise and Champagne Pommery Springtime Brut.

The Champagne Bar is open daily from 6:00 to 9:30 pm. No reservations required.

Liz Palmer

@Champagnehouses