Champagne Laurent Perrier – Elegance, Freshness and the Art of Blending
Summary
Laurent Perrier stands for fruity, mineral and fresh Champagnes whose aroma profile unfolds slowly. To avoid unwanted oxidative notes, the house was the first in Champagne to switch completely from oak barrels to stainless steel tanks for ageing. The result is precise, clear and finely structured wines with unmistakable freshness.
For some connoisseurs, entry into the Laurent Perrier range can seem a little “clean”, light and acidity-driven – yet with Grand Siècle, the house demonstrates what extraordinary depth and complexity its philosophy can produce. Alongside Krug’s Grande Cuvée, Grand Siècle is now considered the most famous non-vintage prestige Champagne in the world.
Origin and History – The Nonancourt Era
The Nonancourt family shaped Laurent Perrier decisively. At the beginning of the Second World War, they took over the then bankrupt house, which still operated under the name Veuve Laurent-Perrier & Co. In 1948, Bernard de Nonancourt started with a production of only 80,000 bottles per year – by his death in 2010, it was already eight million. Under his leadership, Laurent Perrier became the second-largest Champagne house after Moët & Chandon and a synonym for innovation.
Style and Philosophy
Laurent Perrier stands for fruity, mineral and fresh Champagnes whose aroma profile unfolds slowly. To avoid unwanted oxidative notes, the house was the first in Champagne to switch completely from oak barrels to stainless steel tanks for ageing.
The Philosophy Behind Grand Siècle
Grand Siècle stands for the art of perfect blending. Instead of limiting itself to a single vintage, Laurent Perrier combines the best characteristics of several exceptional harvests. For Edition 25, 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir from nine renowned Grand Crus were used. This selection gives the Champagne depth, precision and complexity.
The vintages 2008, 2007 and 2006 merge into a harmonious cuvée: 2008 brings structure and elegance, 2007 freshness and fine almond notes, while 2006 contributes ripe, warm notes.
How Grand Siècle is Made
Under the direction of Michel Fauconnet, Laurent Perrier focuses on absolute fruit purity. Vinification takes place exclusively in stainless steel tanks. Through around ten years of bottle ageing, Grand Siècle gains complexity without losing its freshness. Malolactic fermentation is fully carried out, giving the Champagne a silky texture and balanced acidity.
Laurent Perrier Today
Laurent Perrier is a synonym for innovation and the highest quality. With Grand Siècle, the house has created one of the most famous and respected non-vintage prestige Champagnes in the world – a Champagne that unites elegance, freshness and complexity in perfect balance.
