Perrier-Jouët was my final Champagne of 2025 + the perfect beginning for 2026

The final dinner of the year always feels symbolic, a quiet threshold between what has been and what is about to begin. To close 2025 and welcome 2026, I chose Perrier-Jouët. Some Champagnes feel like an occasion before the cork even moves, and Perrier-Jouët belongs to that rare category, a house whose history is inseparable from the aesthetics of refinement.

Perrier-Jouët manages something timeless: honouring tradition while moving confidently into the future. That is exactly the energy a turning year deserves.

A House Defined by Grace

Founded in 1811 in Épernay by Pierre-Nicolas Perrier and Rose-Adélaïde Jouët, the house was shaped from the beginning by discipline and precision. Vineyard selection, controlled yields, and meticulous blending became its quiet signature. Over generations, Perrier-Jouët developed a deep affinity with Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, prized for its floral character, purity, and mineral drive.

In 1902, artist Émile Gallé created the iconic anemone motif that now adorns Belle Époque bottles. Far more than decoration, it reflected the philosophy of Art Nouveau: harmony with nature, craftsmanship, and beauty with intention.

Beneath Épernay, Perrier-Jouët’s chalk cellars cradle the wines, regulating temperature and allowing time to do its patient work. The resulting house style is unmistakable: shimmering freshness, fine-boned structure, and delicacy with poise.

Tasting and Food Pairing: Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne, Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque Brut Rosé Champagne 2014 and Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque Brut Champagne 2016

Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut

Grand Brut is the introduction to the house style. The blend brings together Chardonnay with Pinot Noir and Meunier, balancing lift and generosity.

Aromas recall citrus blossom, white peach, brioche, and a subtle almond note. The palate shows fine mousse, orchard fruit, and a touch of toast, finishing with bright, linear acidity.

Pairing:
We opened this early in the evening with oysters and seafood canapés, effortless, conversational, quietly refined.

Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque Brut Rosé 2014

Belle Epoque Rosé always carries a lyrical quality, and 2014 adds precision and tension. Its pale salmon hue conceals layered depth.

The nose suggests strawberry, blood orange, pomegranate, and rose petals, with delicate pastry tones. The palate is textured and mineral, structured yet graceful.

Pairing:
This was the centrepiece at dinner: duck breast with cherries and roasted potatoes. The wine elevated the dish, harmonizing rather than overpowering.

Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque Brut 2016

Belle Epoque 2016 feels composed and confident. It opens with pear, lemon zest, acacia, and fresh hazelnut. The palate is crystalline and precise, finishing with a saline whisper, proof that great Champagne doesn’t need volume to make its point.

Pairing:
Our midnight bottle. We served it with aged Comté and caviar-topped blinis, salt, richness, and bright acidity coming together in an elegant, poetic final act.

Selecting the Perfect Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque Champagne for Valentine’s Day

Celebrating Valentine’s Day with champagne is not only elegant but also gastronomically versatile. The effervescent nature of champagne enhances the dining experience by complementing a wide range of foods, from oysters and creamy cheeses to chocolates and fruity desserts. The acidity and bubbles of champagne also elevate the flavors, making it a suitable choice for many dishes.

The tradition of toasting with champagne on Valentine’s Day adds a touch of elegance and festivity, making the moment even more special and memorable. Cheers to love and happiness!

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, selecting the perfect Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque champagne is essential for your special evening. Consider the unique qualities and pairing potential of each style to ensure an evening of refined delight.

Brief History of Belle Epoque

Belle Epoque means “Beautiful Era” in French and refers to a period of peace, prosperity, and cultural flourishing in France and Western Europe, roughly spanning from the late 19th century to the onset of World War I. It was a time of artistic, architectural, and intellectual advancements, characterized by lavish lifestyles and exquisite tastes. Perrier-Jouet, a prestigious champagne house founded in 1811, embraced this spirit of refinement and elegance in their Belle Epoque series. The collection, adorned with the iconic anemone flowers designed by Emile Gallé, an Art Nouveau master, pays homage to this golden age.

2013 Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque – Fleur de Champagne Brut Rose Millesime

The 2013 Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque Brut Rose Millesime exemplifies sophistication and grace. This vintage is crafted from a harmonious blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, with a higher proportion of Pinot Noir imparting a delicate pink hue.

Tasting Notes: The nose is greeted with aromas of red berries, citrus, and floral undertones, hinting at the finesse within. On the palate, it offers a captivating balance of freshness and richness, with flavors of strawberries, raspberries, and a touch of spice. The finish is long and elegant, leaving a lingering impression.

Food Pairing for Valentine’s Day: This champagne is a perfect companion for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. It pairs beautifully with dishes such as lobster salad, roasted duck breast with a berry sauce, or a selection of fresh berries and cream for dessert.

2012 Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque – Fleur de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Millesime

The 2012 Blanc de Blancs Brut Millesime is a pure expression of Chardonnay from the esteemed Côte des Blancs vineyards. Known for its exceptional purity and minerality, this vintage showcases the elegance of the terroir.

Tasting Notes: The bouquet is rich with white flowers, citrus, and a hint of brioche, reflecting its unique origins. On the palate, it is vibrant and crisp, with flavors of green apple, lemon zest, and a touch of almond. The finish is long and refreshing, embodying sophistication.

Food Pairing for Valentine’s Day: For a memorable Valentine’s Day, pair this champagne with oysters, seared scallops, or a delicate goat cheese salad. Its crispness complements the subtle flavors of seafood and light dishes.

2014 Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque – Fleur de Champagne Millesime Brut

The 2014 Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque Millesime Brut is a testament to the house’s dedication to producing exceptional vintage champagnes. This blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier from the finest vineyards offers a luminous golden color with fine, persistent bubbles.

Tasting Notes: The bouquet reveals enticing notes of white flowers, ripe pear, and a hint of honey. On the palate, it is well-balanced with a creamy texture, presenting flavors of stone fruits, citrus, and a hint of spice. The finish is sophisticated and enduring.

Food Pairing for Valentine’s Day: This champagne’s versatility makes it an excellent choice for a Valentine’s Day feast. It pairs wonderfully with seafood dishes like poached salmon, creamy risotto, or a selection of aged cheeses.

Regardless of your choice among these three Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque champagnes, you are assured an evening that epitomizes elegance, romance, and memorable experiences!

Wine Review: Perrier-Jouët Cuvée Belle Époque Brut Champagne 2013

“You do not need to wait for a celebration to pop Champagne” – Liz Palmer

Perrier-Jouët released the 2013 vintage of its prestige cuvée, Belle Epoque mid 2021.

Blend
Made from a blend of 50% grand cru Chardonnay, 45% grand cru Pinot Noir and 5% Meunier, the 2013 vintage embodies the delicate floral style that has come to define the house.

2013 Weather
2013 was a cool year, with late flowering in July pushing back the start of the harvest to September 30. It was a particularly good year for Chardonnay.

Severine Frerson, Perrier-Jouët’s first female cellar master describes the Champagne as “pale gold in colour, with subtle glints of apple green”, and notes of “ripe pear, grapefruit zest, ginger, tangerine and a hint of green pepper”.

“Lime blossom expresses the character, personality and texture of the 2013 vintage”, she said, adding that the fizz has a “delicate salinity” to it.

Serving and Pairing
Perrier-Jouët recommends serving the Champagne at 12°C and enjoying it as an apéritif or paired with the likes of Dover sole and grilled turbot.

Bottle Design
Features its distinctive “anemone” flower motif, the Belle Epoque bottle design was created in 1902 by Emile Gallé, a prominent player in the Art Nouveau movement.

Founded in 1811 in Epernay, Perrier-Jouët is known for its elegant, floral Champagnes that celebrate the delicacy of Chardonnay. The house owns 65 hectares of vineyards, including 55ha of grand cru sites. Its prestige cuvée, Belle Epoque, launched in 1969 at Maxim’s in Paris with the 1964 vintage. The debut vintage of Belle Epoque was practically a blanc de blancs, composed of 90% Chardonnay.

Tasting Notes
Pale gold, clear and luminous with aromas of ripe, juicy pear, hints of citrus and green pepper; a subtle salinity; generous, lively attack with a lush, creamy texture; beautiful floral notes of blossoms, complemented with pear, mandarin, and some grapefruit zest through to a long, expansive finish.

94 points

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Perrier-Jouët launches eco-friendly gift box for the holiday season

After two years in development, Champagne house Perrier-Jouët just launched a new range of fully recyclable, eco-friendly gift boxes in perfect timing for the festive period.

The boxes will now be used to house its classic, non-vintage Champagnes, including Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut, Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé and Perrier-Jouët Blanc de Blancs.

The project follows two years of research and development in order to deliver packaging that merges “a minimalist aesthetic with a focus on sustainability”.

The white boxes are made from natural fibre, sourced from certified sustainable forests in northern Europe, and are embossed with water-based ink, which is free from mineral oils.

The eco gift box collection is available globally through various retailers, including, in the UK, through Fortnum & Mason (RRP: £47.50).

Perrier-Jouët is aiming to make its entire gifting offer fully sustainable by 2022. It has already introduced recyclable shipping cases that are made from grass paper.

Séverine Frerson, cellar master at Maison Perrier-Jouët, said: “For more than two centuries, Maison Perrier-Jouët has maintained a symbiotic relationship with nature which we are incredibly proud of.

“Our founders, Pierre-Nicolas Perrier and Rose-Adélaïde Jouët, were renowned for their keen interest in botany and for their progressive ideas on natural viticulture. Today, nature remains at the very heart of the House, and has provided the inspiration for this exquisite gift-box collection.”

Perrier-Jouët Wins 2 Golds at the Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships for its magnums Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs 2004 and Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé

The Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships is the most respected, comprehensive and rigorous international sparkling wine competition in the world. The 2017 edition attracted entries from 29 countries, which was more than ever before. Perrier-Jouët is very proud to have been awarded by the judges two Gold medals for two magnums: Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs 2004 and Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé.

Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs is the quintessence of the Perrier-Jouët style. The cuvee expressed the purity of the Chardonnay: floral and intricate with the brilliance and rarity of a yellow diamond.

Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé is the most gourmet wine of the collection, a full and fruity blend that confers generosity and spontaneity. The cuvee is fresh, fruity and floral, with an inviting salmon pink hue.

About Maison Perrier-Jouët

Maison Perrier-Jouët is an iconic champagne house with an exceptional vineyard. It is known for the finesse and elegant floral style of its wines, fashioned by the expertise of only seven Cellar Masters since its foundation in 1811. Since its 1902 collaboration with Art Nouveau pioneer Emile Gallé, creator of the anemone design for its Belle Epoque prestige cuvée, Perrier-Jouët has commissioned work from established and emerging artists including Daniel Arsham, Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance, Miguel Chevalier, Makoto Azuma, Tord Boontje, Studio Glithero and Simon Heijdens, and more recently Tord Boontje, Vik Muniz, mischer’traxler, Ritsue Mishima and Andrew Kudless.