EPERNAY, France, June 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- As part of its 200th anniversary festivities, the House of Perrier-Jouet welcomed on the 16 and 17 June some of the world's leading champagne experts for an exclusive vertical tasting of its prestigious cuvee Belle Epoque in the most celebratory of formats: the Jeroboam.
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Following Perrier-Jouet's historic 2009 tasting which included the world's oldest champagne Perrier-Jouet 1825 Vintage, Chef de Caves Herve Deschamps was keen to explore a different dimension of the House's cellars through a Jeroboam tasting of 9 outstanding House vintages dating back to 1975, the year Perrier-Jouet introduced vintage champagne in Jeroboam.
Herve Deschamps explains: "The Jeroboam is the traditional symbol of celebration in Champagne and our 200th anniversary was the perfect occasion to explore how these great vintages have evolved in larger bottles. Jeroboams offer an exceptional but slightly different experience from standard bottles, as a lower pressure together with a longer ageing on the lees gives rise to a more intense and richer aromatic wine".
After toasting the Perrier-Jouet's bicentenary with a glass of the legendary 1911 vintage in magnum, guests were served Jeroboams of Belle Epoque 1998, 1996, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1985, 1982, 1978, and 1975. The blend of these Cuvees remained the same, true to the Perrier-Jouet's signature style, made of 50% Chardonnay from Grands Crus as Cramant & Avize, 45% of Pinot Noir from Mailly, Verzy, Verzenay and 5% Pinot Meunier from Dizy.
British wine expert Serena Sutcliffe MW commented: "I was in heaven, I love matured wines and some of them in Jeroboam format still have a great future ahead of them," whilst French wine author Michel Bettane explained: "What's interesting with Jeroboams is that the wine presents better, as the senses are less dominated by the carbonic gas. One finds more 'vinosity' and greater roundness: I was delighted to discover the wine itself."
The 1985 and 1975 vintages were hailed as highlights; with the Jeroboam of Belle Epoque 1985 recorded by one expert as "simply sensational with a long life ahead" and the 1975 vintage described as "the ultimate expression and achievement of Belle Epoque; mellow, harmonious, and with an incredible sweetness."
During the course of the two-day private event, guests were also treated to a sumptuous champagne-paired gala dinner, devised by acclaimed French chef Jean-Louis Nomicos and Michel Dubois, chef of the prestigious Maison Belle Epoque, who together recreated the 1911 Perrier-Jouet Centenary Menu to complement a range of more recent Perrier-Jouet gems. These included the exceptional Belle Epoque 1998 in magnum, the cuvee de grande garde at the heart Perrier-Jouet Bi-Centenaire, the world's first "Living Legacy Champagne", which was unveiled in Paris this March.
All the champagnes tasted were the creation of Andre Baveret and Herve Deschamps, only the sixth and seventh cellar masters respectively in the 200-year history of Perrier-Jouet and their achievement in balancing perfectly the diversity of each vintage's individual character with Perrier-Jouet signature style, as a tribute of an expertise passed on over two centuries.
Photography, Press materials & experts quotes
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Press inquiries/further information
Please contact:
Stéphanie Mingam
Perrier-Jouët Communications Department
Stephanie.mingam@pernod-ricard.com
+33(0)6-27-00-24-76 / +33(0)3-26-49-69-77
