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Perrier-Jouët® Unveils the First Tailor-Made Champagne
Iconic Champagne House Celebrates Spring with the Debut of Perrier-Jouët By and For
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience Delves Deep into the House’s History
Purchase, N.Y. (March 20, 2008) – On March 20, the first day of spring, Perrier-Jouët will unveil its first ever tailor-made Champagne, Perrier-Jouët By and For. The bespoke Champagne, of which only 100 cases have been allocated worldwide, goes beyond the prestige cuvée to become a once-in-a-lifetime experience that exemplifies true luxury. Perrier-Jouët will offer guests a chance to go deep into the heart of the House, where they will learn its closely guarded production secrets from the Chef de Caves, Hervé Deschamps – one of only seven House Cellar Masters to hold this esteemed position in two centuries.
“Perrier-Jouët has always placed innovation, integrity and quality at the heart of its undertaking,” says Olivier Cavil, Director of Communication for Perrier-Jouët. “Since the beginning, the House has worked with small volumes in limited production with a dedication to the art of Champagne creation. The custom Champagne personifies this philosophy.”
The proud owner of the custom case and four guests will be invited to the Maison Belle Époque, Perrier-Jouët's private guesthouse situated on the legendary Avenue de Champagne in Epernay since 1811.
The Maison, which has never before opened its doors to the public, is home to nearly 200 original pieces from the Art Nouveau movement. Among the collection are works from Master Glassworker Emile Gallé, who in 1902 designed the anemones that adorn each of the prestige Perrier-Jouët cuvées.
Much like a meeting with a design house for a couture gown, Cellar Master Deschamps will invite the guest into the inner sanctum of his workshop for a private discussion that goes beyond palate preferences to determine wider tastes and desires. Once the ‘Champagne personality’ has been discovered, Deschamps will select a variety of different Champagnes for the guest to sample. This meeting will yield a personalized Champagne crafted by Deschamps that caters to the express preferences of the individual.
“The recipient of this truly unique experience will not only enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the storied heritage of Perrier-Jouët, but will also bear witness to the first custom Champagne, another milestone in our rich history,” comments Deschamps.
In creating a tailor-made Champagne, the Cellar Master will first choose the foundation that will give shape to the Champagne; this will be comprised of the most exclusive Perrier-Jouët Fleur de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2000 cuvée. Hailing from the village of Crémant, one of the most celebrated grands crus in Champagne, the Blanc de Blancs 2000 is composed of fruit picked only in the best years from two legendary parcels, Bourrons-Leroy and Bourrons du Midi.
After Deschamps proposes several samples of Blanc de Blancs 2000 that best suit the recipients palate, the most crucial technical step in the custom process arrives – the creation of the liqueur d’expédition. It is by changing the different combinations of wines blended with different proportions of sugar that creates liqueur d’expédition, and results in the Champagne’s character, whether it be more intense or ethereal, velvety or dry, round or sharp. Deschamps will play with many possibilities to create a few drops of precious nectar to blend with the Blanc de Blancs 2000.
Beneath Maison Belle Époque, 100 alcoves have been specially built to hold the cases, one for each future owner. From the moment it is reserved, each alcove will bear the name of its beneficiary, awaiting their arrival at Maison Belle Époque.
After aging the Blanc de Blancs 2000 for seven years, the 12 bottles will lie for an additional year in their dedicated alcove to give the liqueur d’expédition sufficient time to marry with the Champagne. To fully complete the process, the beneficiary will be asked to cosign each of the labels intended for the 12 future bottles with Hervé Deschamp. The exceptional bottles will be delivered in a personalized case to mark this extraordinary experience.
To celebrate the launch of Perrier-Jouët By and For, the Champagne House has joined forces with the Maison Van Cleef & Arpels to create a lavish brooch that takes its inspiration from the Emile Gallé anemone that adorn the bottle. This bespoke cut, which was created exclusively for Perrier-Jouët, is designed in white gold and set with 450 round diamonds. This brooch will be available by order from the Van Cleef & Arpels boutiques in select countries.
About Pernod Ricard USA
Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to accept responsibility when considering consuming alcoholic beverages. For more information, please visit: http://www.acceptresponsibility.org.
Pernod Ricard USA, based in Purchase, N.Y., is a leading producer, importer and marketer of prized spirits and wine brands in the United States and is one of the fastest growing subsidiaries of the world’s #2 spirits company and #4 wine company, Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard, S.A. The completion of Pernod Ricard’s acquisition of Allied Domecq in 2005 vaulted Pernod Ricard USA to the forefront of the U.S. spirits market, doubling the company’s sales value and market share. The company is now the third largest in the U.S. spirits industry by sales value and the fifth largest by sales volume in the U.S.
Pernod Ricard USA's leading brands include Kahlúa® Liqueur, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin®, Malibu® flavored Rum, Stolichnaya® Vodkas, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Wild Turkey® Bourbon, Beefeater® Gin, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs and Martell® Cognac, as well as Jacob's Creek® and Brancott Estate® wines, Perrier-Jouët® Champagne, G.H. Mumm® Champagne and Mumm Napa® wines, and Pernod® and Ricard® Liquors.