Champagne Joseph Perrier

Champagne house in Châlons-en-Champagne, Vallée de la Marne.

Village

Châlons-en-Champagne

Region

Vallée de la Marne

Founded

1825

Cuvées in the guide

13

History​‌​ The champagne house Joseph Perrier was founded in 1825 by Joseph Perrier in Châlons-en-Champagne, where it has operated without interruption ever since. The house is unique in the region because it is the only historic champagne producer in this city and is still located on its original site. It has been run by six generations, beginning with the founder and ending with Benjamin Fourmon, who took over the house in 2019 from his father Jean-Claude Fourmon. Historic highlights include recognition as official supplier to Queen Victoria and Edward VII in 1889, which resulted in the prestigious "Cuvée Royale" name.

Vineyards and Terroir The house has 23 hectares of its own vineyards certified as Haute Valeur Environnementale and Viticulture Durable. The grape varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier are grown on slopes in prestigious villages such as Cumières, Hautvillers, Damery, Chouilly, Verneuil and Bassuet. These sites, located in the Marne valley and the Côte des Blancs, supply grapes of Premier Cru and Grand Cru quality that are essential for the balance and precision of the champagnes.

Winemaking and Cellars Joseph Perrier is known for its Gallo-Roman limestone cellars, which are up to 5 kilometres long and go back to the 4th century. These unique "caves de plain-pied" are dug horizontally into a hill, which provides direct access to the production facilities and ensures a constant, ideal temperature and humidity for ageing. The champagnes age here for at least three to five years, with the exception of prestige cuvées that lie on the lees for up to 9 years. The production process follows the traditional champagne method, with craftsmanship and passion coming together in every step of vinification.

Champagnes and Cuvées The core of the range is formed by the Cuvée Royale Brut, recognisable by its yellow label, which embodies the signature style of the house. Other important cuvées are the Cuvée Royale Brut Nature (without added sugar) and the prestigious Cuvée Joséphine, a vintage that ages for 8 to 10 years and has a hand-painted, gold-gilded bottle. Recently the house has introduced new single-vineyard cuvées, such as Les Chalmonts 2020 (100% Chardonnay from Cumières) and La Côte à Bras 2016, which emphasise the specific identity of their historic plots.

Cuvées by Joseph Perrier

Where it is sold

Shops and wholesalers carrying Joseph Perrier: Muselet, Wijnhuis.nl.

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