Laurent-Perrier: A Legacy of Excellence
Origins and Growth
Founded in 1812 by André-Michel Pierlot in the Grand Cru village of Tours-sur-Marne, Laurent-Perrier has deep roots in Champagne history. Pierlot initially worked as a cooper and bottler in Chigny-les-Roses before settling in Tours-sur-Marne, where he established a Champagne wine merchant business. The plots of Les Plaisances and La Tour Glorieux became the foundation for the house.
Upon Pierlot’s passing, his son Alphonse succeeded him. Without direct heirs, Alphonse entrusted the business to his cellar master, Eugène Laurent, who, after his untimely death in 1887, left it in the capable hands of his widow, Mathilde-Émilie Perrier. Mathilde brought transformative vision to the house, introducing “Grand Vin Sans Sucre” in 1889, a groundbreaking sugar-free Champagne that catered to British tastes. This innovation cemented the house's reputation as a pioneer.
The 20th century marked significant milestones, particularly with Bernard de Nonancourt, who assumed leadership in 1948. His dedication and vision expanded Laurent-Perrier into a globally recognized name. Under his guidance, the house championed traditional practices while embracing modern techniques, including the pioneering use of stainless steel vats for vinification in the late 1970s. Laurent-Perrier grew to export its Champagnes to over 160 countries under his stewardship.
Today, the house remains a family-led entity, with Bernard’s daughters, Alexandra Pereyre and Stéphanie Meneux de Nonancourt, actively involved in maintaining the legacy. They focus on balancing tradition with innovation, ensuring the brand’s distinct identity endures in the competitive Champagne market.
Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut: A Revolutionary Expression
Since its debut in 1968, Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut has stood as a testament to the house's mastery of innovation. Unlike many rosé Champagnes produced by blending white and red wines, Laurent-Perrier’s rosé is crafted using the maceration method. This meticulous process extracts color and flavor from the grape skins by allowing Pinot Noir grapes to macerate for 48 to 72 hours before vinification.
The Pinot Noir is sourced from 10 select crus in the Montagne de Reims, ensuring exceptional quality. This unique production method underscores the house’s commitment to precision and excellence. Cuvée Rosé is aged for a minimum of five years, allowing the wine to achieve its renowned complexity and balance.
Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne was a bold introduction at a time when rosé Champagne was a rarity. Its shield-shaped bottle, inspired by 18th-century designs, became a visual signature of its distinctive identity. Over the decades, limited editions, such as the "Ribbons" case, have added to its allure, reinforcing the brand's focus on elegance and creativity.
A Pioneer in Champagne Innovation
Laurent-Perrier has consistently been at the forefront of Champagne innovation. Its approach revolves around four key pillars:
Assemblage Over Vintage
Instead of focusing solely on vintages, Laurent-Perrier emphasizes blending to achieve consistency and excellence. Grand Siècle, its most prestigious cuvée, exemplifies this philosophy by combining wines from three exceptional vintages to replicate an ideal year.Distinctive Chardonnay Use
Chardonnay plays a dominant role in Laurent-Perrier’s Champagnes, lending the wines a hallmark freshness, finesse, and elegance. This choice distinguishes the house from many of its counterparts, showcasing its dedication to a distinctive style.Mastery of Pinot Noir
For its rosé Champagnes, such as the Cuvée Rosé and Alexandra Rosé Millésimé, the house has perfected maceration techniques. This process highlights the rich expression of Pinot Noir, sourced exclusively from top crus.Sustainable Viticulture
Committed to environmental responsibility, Laurent-Perrier obtained certifications for Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne (SVC) and High Environmental Value (HEV) in 2018. The house prioritizes minimizing its carbon footprint, managing waste effectively, and conserving resources across its operations.
The Laurent-Perrier Style: Tradition Meets Modernity
The Laurent-Perrier style, crafted under Bernard de Nonancourt’s leadership, is synonymous with freshness, elegance, and purity. This distinct identity is achieved through:
Stainless Steel Fermentation
Laurent-Perrier was among the first houses to adopt stainless steel vats for controlled, low-temperature fermentation, preserving the freshness of the base wines.Plot-by-Plot Vinification
Each vineyard parcel is vinified separately, enabling the blending team to draw on a diverse palette of aromas, terroirs, and styles.Meticulous Blending
With grapes sourced from 319 villages, including 17 Grand Crus and 42 Premier Crus, blending becomes a careful art of balancing base wines with reserve wines to recreate the house style annually.
This commitment to quality, combined with long-term partnerships with growers, ensures that every bottle of Laurent-Perrier upholds the house’s rigorous standards.
Sustainability and Responsibility: A Commitment to the Future
Laurent-Perrier has long recognized the importance of sustainability, taking proactive steps to minimize its environmental impact and preserve the Champagne region's unique terroir for future generations. Since the 1980s, the Champagne industry has worked collectively to address environmental challenges, and Laurent-Perrier has been at the forefront of these efforts.
In 2018, the Laurent-Perrier Group obtained certifications for Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne (SVC) and High Environmental Value (HEV), covering 100% of its vineyard plots. These certifications underscore the house's dedication to:
Preserving Landscapes
Laurent-Perrier actively protects and enhances the natural landscapes within its vineyards, ensuring long-term soil health and biodiversity.Waste Management
The house prioritizes recycling and reusing by-products of winemaking and packaging processes, reducing waste and improving efficiency.Reducing Carbon Footprint
Efforts to minimize energy and water usage at the production site are central to Laurent-Perrier's environmental strategy. These measures extend to its partnerships with growers and cooperatives, fostering a culture of sustainability throughout the supply chain.
By integrating these practices, Laurent-Perrier not only meets but often exceeds industry standards, setting an example of environmentally conscious winemaking.
Innovation as a Pillar of Success
Throughout its history, Laurent-Perrier has maintained a pioneering spirit, embracing technological advances and exploring uncharted territories in Champagne production. This commitment to innovation is evident in its approach to blending, vinification, and new product development.
Assemblage and Non-Vintage Expertise
Laurent-Perrier challenges the traditional emphasis on vintages by perfecting the art of blending. Its flagship Grand Siècle blends wines from three exceptional vintages to recreate an ideal year, reflecting the house's ambition and technical precision.Brut Nature and Ultra Brut Innovations
In 1889, the house introduced its "Grand Vin Sans Sucre," a precursor to the modern Brut Nature category. Laurent-Perrier revived this low-dosage philosophy in 1981 with the release of Ultra Brut, redefining the Champagne landscape with a wine that prioritizes purity and balance.The Role of Stainless Steel
Laurent-Perrier was among the first houses in the region to utilize stainless steel vats for fermentation. This innovation allowed for precise temperature control, preserving the wine's freshness and enhancing the purity of its final expression.Rosé Leadership
The development of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut in 1968 demonstrated the house's commitment to challenging conventions. Its use of the maceration method set a benchmark for rosé Champagnes, inspiring other producers and elevating the category's global reputation.
Influence on Gastronomy and Global Reach
Laurent-Perrier’s wines have long been associated with fine dining, forging strong connections with the culinary world. The house’s emphasis on freshness, elegance, and purity makes its Champagnes versatile companions to haute cuisine, whether served as an aperitif or throughout a meal.
Since the 1950s, Laurent-Perrier has collaborated with leading chefs and restaurateurs, contributing to its reputation as a gastronomic Champagne. This synergy has enabled the house to expand its reach, becoming a preferred choice in prestigious dining establishments worldwide.
Exporting to over 160 countries, Laurent-Perrier remains one of the most recognized Champagne houses globally. Its ability to blend tradition with modernity has helped it maintain relevance and appeal across diverse markets.
A House Rooted in Family and Excellence
Laurent-Perrier's continued success is deeply tied to its family heritage and values. Bernard de Nonancourt’s vision, carried forward by his daughters and the next generation, ensures that the house remains independent and committed to excellence. This independence allows Laurent-Perrier to make long-term decisions that prioritize quality, sustainability, and innovation.
The introduction of Lucie Pereyre de Nonancourt to the team in 2019 marks a new chapter in this legacy. By training with the cellar and production teams, Lucie represents the house's commitment to nurturing talent and preserving its distinctive style.
Sustainability and Responsibility: A Commitment to the Future
Laurent-Perrier has long recognized the importance of sustainability, taking proactive steps to minimize its environmental impact and preserve the Champagne region's unique terroir for future generations. Since the 1980s, the Champagne industry has worked collectively to address environmental challenges, and Laurent-Perrier has been at the forefront of these efforts.
In 2018, the Laurent-Perrier Group obtained certifications for Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne (SVC) and High Environmental Value (HEV), covering 100% of its vineyard plots. These certifications underscore the house's dedication to:
Preserving Landscapes
Laurent-Perrier actively protects and enhances the natural landscapes within its vineyards, ensuring long-term soil health and biodiversity.Waste Management
The house prioritizes recycling and reusing by-products of winemaking and packaging processes, reducing waste and improving efficiency.Reducing Carbon Footprint
Efforts to minimize energy and water usage at the production site are central to Laurent-Perrier's environmental strategy. These measures extend to its partnerships with growers and cooperatives, fostering a culture of sustainability throughout the supply chain.
By integrating these practices, Laurent-Perrier not only meets but often exceeds industry standards, setting an example of environmentally conscious winemaking.
Innovation as a Pillar of Success
Throughout its history, Laurent-Perrier has maintained a pioneering spirit, embracing technological advances and exploring uncharted territories in Champagne production. This commitment to innovation is evident in its approach to blending, vinification, and new product development.
Assemblage and Non-Vintage Expertise
Laurent-Perrier challenges the traditional emphasis on vintages by perfecting the art of blending. Its flagship Grand Siècle blends wines from three exceptional vintages to recreate an ideal year, reflecting the house's ambition and technical precision.Brut Nature and Ultra Brut Innovations
In 1889, the house introduced its "Grand Vin Sans Sucre," a precursor to the modern Brut Nature category. Laurent-Perrier revived this low-dosage philosophy in 1981 with the release of Ultra Brut, redefining the Champagne landscape with a wine that prioritizes purity and balance.The Role of Stainless Steel
Laurent-Perrier was among the first houses in the region to utilize stainless steel vats for fermentation. This innovation allowed for precise temperature control, preserving the wine's freshness and enhancing the purity of its final expression.Rosé Leadership
The development of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut in 1968 demonstrated the house's commitment to challenging conventions. Its use of the maceration method set a benchmark for rosé Champagnes, inspiring other producers and elevating the category's global reputation.
Influence on Gastronomy and Global Reach
Laurent-Perrier’s wines have long been associated with fine dining, forging strong connections with the culinary world. The house’s emphasis on freshness, elegance, and purity makes its Champagnes versatile companions to haute cuisine, whether served as an aperitif or throughout a meal.
Since the 1950s, Laurent-Perrier has collaborated with leading chefs and restaurateurs, contributing to its reputation as a gastronomic Champagne. This synergy has enabled the house to expand its reach, becoming a preferred choice in prestigious dining establishments worldwide.
Exporting to over 160 countries, Laurent-Perrier remains one of the most recognized Champagne houses globally. Its ability to blend tradition with modernity has helped it maintain relevance and appeal across diverse markets.
A House Rooted in Family and Excellence
Laurent-Perrier's continued success is deeply tied to its family heritage and values. Bernard de Nonancourt’s vision, carried forward by his daughters and the next generation, ensures that the house remains independent and committed to excellence. This independence allows Laurent-Perrier to make long-term decisions that prioritize quality, sustainability, and innovation.
The introduction of Lucie Pereyre de Nonancourt to the team in 2019 marks a new chapter in this legacy. By training with the cellar and production teams, Lucie represents the house's commitment to nurturing talent and preserving its distinctive style.
Defining the Laurent-Perrier Style
The Laurent-Perrier style is defined by three core principles: freshness, elegance, and purity. These characteristics are evident in every cuvée, achieved through meticulous practices at each stage of production:
Blending Expertise
The house's plot-by-plot vinification approach allows for a wide range of options during blending, ensuring that each wine reflects the best of its terroir and the consistency of the Laurent-Perrier style.Aging for Perfection
Laurent-Perrier’s cuvées are aged extensively to ensure they are ready for immediate enjoyment upon release, reflecting the house’s commitment to quality.Focus on Chardonnay
By emphasizing Chardonnay as the majority grape in its wines, Laurent-Perrier sets itself apart from many other Champagne houses. This choice lends its wines a distinct character, aligning with its stylistic principles.
Looking Ahead: Innovation Meets Tradition
Laurent-Perrier continues to honor its heritage while embracing the future. Its dedication to sustainability, innovation, and craftsmanship positions the house as a leader in the Champagne industry. Whether through groundbreaking cuvées like Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut or its environmentally conscious practices, Laurent-Perrier remains a benchmark for excellence.
As it evolves, Laurent-Perrier’s unwavering commitment to quality and its distinctive style ensure that it will continue to shape the Champagne world for generations to come.