Why Was the Global Launch Held in Japan?

Founded in 1811,the prestige Champagne house Perrier-Jouët, which celebrated its 200th anniversary last year,has added a new chapter to its illustrious history with the limited release of the prestige cuvée ‘Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Florale Edition,’ available in limited quantities from Thursday, September 20th.

—You've visited Japan many times, Mr. Hervé Deschamps. What are your impressions of the wine and Champagne scene here?

I love Japan, and I appreciate its culinary culture, which is meticulous and values aroma. Regarding wine and Champagne, the Japanese have a strong desire to learn, making it a crucial market for us as a ‘knowledgeable market.’ The Champagne market, in particular, is growing, with a high interest in luxury brands. I often meet Japanese visitors at our cellars in Épernay, the heart of the Champagne region.

—This time, the global launch for the limited edition ‘Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Florale Edition’ was held in Japan. What was the reason for this?

Firstly, the design by Émile Gallé for ‘Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque’ was inspired by Japanese art. Specifically, the white anemones blooming gracefully on the bottle are native to Japan, which makes us feel the depth of our connection with Japan.

—And then there's the collaboration with floral artist Makoto Azuma.


Exactly. For the first limited edition of our prestige cuvée ‘Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque,’ we’ve honored Émile Gallé’s anemone design and, for the first time in Perrier-Jouët’s 200-year history, achieved a collaboration with an artist across time and borders.

The Historic 'Encounter' Between Émile Gallé and Makoto Azuma

—The 'encounter' between Émile Gallé and Makoto Azuma is truly surprising.


Originally, Henri Gallet, the third president of Perrier-Jouët, was an agricultural engineer who worked on phylloxera prevention and appellation control in the Champagne region. He was also a great lover of art and beauty. While the exact details of the commission to Émile Gallé are not recorded, we understand it was to create an artistic object from a magnum bottle.

—And that's how the 'anemone' was born.


The anemone depicted by Émile Gallé draws inspiration from the vitality of nature. It's an elegant design full of the essence of spring. It's a very distinctive flower, not commonly found in France, with a beautiful and precious golden center in each petal.

—What was the reason for choosing Makoto Azuma this time?


I was intrigued by Mr. Azuma's work, which transcends traditional ikebana, and his ability to create a different dimension of expression by giving volume to the flowers.

A Bottle Lives On With the Champagne Inside

Reviving Émile Gallé's anemone for the modern era with a contemporary vision, through a three-dimensional frame and traditional Japanese flora.—The ‘Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Florale Edition,’ with bottle design by Makoto Azuma, is a work inspired by the concept that 'Champagne poured into a flute is a bouquet of interwoven colors and aromas,' paying homage to Émile Gallé.

—What are your impressions of the finished bottle for the ‘Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Florale Edition’?

While Gallé's decoration is respected, Mr. Azuma has created an exquisitely delicate composition. By adding motifs of leaves and petals to the previously blank areas, a new balance has been achieved on the bottle. It gives an elegant and refined impression. The design already possessed a modern quality, but with Mr. Azuma's creation and the addition of white and gold, a new dimension has emerged, conveying a sense of timelessness.

—What was Mr. Azuma's reaction to the finished product?

He seemed very pleased that it was reproduced with such purity, down to the finest details. After all, a bottle lives on with the Champagne inside.

—Let's talk about the Champagne itself. Was the 'anemone' also the inspiration for starting to create the prestige cuvée?

Yes. The Perrier-Jouët bottles designed by Émile Gallé lay dormant in the Maison's cellars for decades, only to be discovered in 1964. The 6th Cellar Master at the time, deeply moved by the beauty of the bottle, began producing a prestige cuvée from the 1964 harvest. That became ‘Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque.’ Of course, the anemone on the bottle was the symbol, and I understand there were many trials and errors in the technique for fixing the enamel to the glass.

An Impeccable Masterpiece in Both Bottle and Content

—What is ‘Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque’?

Belle Epoque is produced only when the balance of alcohol and acidity suggests it has the potential to be a vintage. It is not made every year. The blend is 55% Chardonnay, 40-45% Pinot Noir, and 0-5% Pinot Meunier, using grapes exclusively from 100% Grand Cru vineyards. The Chardonnay, in particular, highlights the Maison's characteristic notes of white flowers and its fresh citrusy taste. While the Pinot Noir provides structure, the complexity is also achieved through the roundness and softness on the finish imparted by the 5% Pinot Meunier.

—The content of this ‘Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Florale Edition’ is the 2004 Belle Epoque, correct?

Belle Epoque 2004 has undergone six years of aging. Its notes include aromas of white-fleshed fruits like pear and peach, evolving into scents of white flowers such as hawthorn and acacia, and eventually hinting at citrus, butter, and vanilla. The pure presence of white flowers is felt on the palate, with a complex and delicate taste that lingers as various aromas burst forth.

—Could you share some enjoyable ways to drink Champagne?

Japan has a very rich food culture, and I'm sure many are familiar with the pairing of Champagne with sushi and sashimi. Moving forward, I'm excited about new pairings with vegetables. Although Champagne is an alcoholic beverage, its effervescence makes it light and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of gender.

—Finally, do you have a message for Perrier-Jouët fans in Japan?

The ‘Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Florale Edition,’ released this time as a limited edition, is an impeccable masterpiece in both its bottle and its content. I believe the sensual femininity brought by the Chardonnay complements the bottle beautifully, so please raise a glass to life's wonderful moments.