Perrier-Jouët : Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs 2018

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs 2018 Perrier-Jouët

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a bright golden hue with green highlights, enlivened by a fine, persistent effervescence.

Nose

The nose reveals a delicate floral bouquet, interwoven with notes of white flowers, hawthorn, and honeysuckle. Citrus aromas—particularly lemon zest—accompany hints of white peach and honey. A chalky minerality brings complexity and depth to the aromatic profile.

Palate

The attack is lively and fresh, carried by flavors of citrus and green apple. The silky, airy texture reveals remarkable concentration. Notes of Meyer lemon, pear, and brioche unfold, supported by a crystalline acidity that lends balance and length. The finish lingers with elegance, leaving a mineral and fruity impression.

Food and wine pairings

This champagne is an ideal match for a citrus scallop ceviche, seafood, or shellfish prepared with a light butter sauce. It also pairs beautifully with herb-roasted poultry served with a delicate cream sauce. Its finesse makes it an excellent choice as an aperitif.

Serving and cellaring

The Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs 2018 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 8 and 10°C. Thanks to its structure and acidity, this champagne offers cellaring potential of fifteen to twenty-five years, allowing it to evolve toward more complex notes of dried fruits, vanilla, and toasted hazelnut.

An exceptional champagne expressing the floral elegance of Champagne

The estate

Founded in 1811 by Pierre-Nicolas Perrier and Rose-Adélaïde Jouët, the House of Perrier-Jouët embodies more than two centuries of Champagne excellence. Based in Épernay on the Avenue de Champagne, the House owns 65 hectares of vineyards, more than half of which are located in the Grand Cru villages of Cramant and Avize on the Côte des Blancs. Since 2005, Perrier-Jouët has been part of the Pernod Ricard group. The House is now led by Séverine Frerson—its first female cellar master since 2020—who perpetuates the House’s signature floral, elegant style while developing regenerative viticultural practices.

The vineyard

The Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs 2018 comes exclusively from Grand Cru parcels located on the Côte des Blancs in Champagne. The grapes come primarily from the historic parcels of Bourons Leroy and Bourons du Midi in Cramant, complemented by vines in Avize and Chouilly. These terroirs rest on almost purely limestone soils, giving the wine its distinctive minerality and crystalline freshness. Old vines planted on these slopes benefit from optimal exposure and produce Chardonnays of remarkable complexity.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage stands out as an exceptional year in Champagne. After a mild winter, budbreak occurred at the end of March, in line with the traditional timing. Flowering in May took place under ideal conditions, with little rain and wind. Summer returned to classic climatic patterns, with cool, misty mornings in August, avoiding late heatwaves. October delivered glorious conditions with cool mornings and sunny days, enabling optimal ripening. Harvest began on August 20, yielding grapes of remarkable quality and quantity, combining phenolic maturity with preserved acidity.

Winemaking and aging

The Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs 2018 is produced according to traditional Champagne methods. A portion of the base wines is aged in oak barrels to build texture and complexity while preserving the House’s hallmark freshness. The champagne then benefits from extended aging on the lees in the historic cellars carved into the chalk beneath the Avenue de Champagne, allowing complex aromas to develop alongside a fine mousse. Production remains extremely limited, representing less than one percent of the total Belle Epoque production.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay