Belle Époque 2016
At a glance
About this bottle
Belle Époque (pronounced bel ay-pok) is the most important wine from Perrier-Jouët in Épernay (pronounced ay-pair-NAY), recognisable by its bottle with a floral design created by the Art Nouveau artist Émile Gallé. The 2016 vintage was made by chef de cave Séverine Frerson.
The blend is 50% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir and 5% Meunier. The grapes come from Cramant (pronounced kra-MAHN), Avize (pronounced a-VEEZ), Chouilly (pronounced shoo-YEE), Le Mesnil-sur-Oger (pronounced luh may-neel syoor oh-zhay), Vertus (pronounced vair-tu) and Mailly. The wine matures in the cellars for at least six years, and the dosage is 8 g/l.
According to the house, the golden colour recalls a sunset. On the nose the freshness of flowers gives way to white fruit, such as poached pear, and to lemon and orange peel. On the palate the wine is precise and fresh, with lemon peel and minerality. Antonio Galloni (Vinous) gave it 93 points and writes that it packs a lot of richness into a slender body.
Perrier-Jouët recommends it with line-caught sea bass and lobster with citrus, as well as with sole, quail, porcini and polenta. Serve it at about 12 °C with a meal, and at 8-10 °C as an aperitif.
About the houseA house from Épernay, founded in 1811 by the Perrier couple, which for two centuries has built its style on Chardonnay from Cramant and Avize. You will recognise its prestige cuvée, Belle Époque, by the bottle with white anemones designed by Émile Gallé in 1902.History, people and stories: Perrier-Jouët
