Celebrating 200 Years of Joseph Perrier Champagne at Entrecôte
In the heart of Melbourne, at the elegant Parisian-inspired brasserie Entrecôte, guests recently gathered for an unforgettable celebration marking the 200th anniversary of Champagne Joseph Perrier. Founded in 1825 in Châlons-en-Champagne, this family-owned house has woven a rich tapestry of history, from being a favorite of Queen Victoria and King Edward VII to gracing the tables of supersonic Concorde flights. Now under the stewardship of sixth-generation Chairman and CEO Benjamin Fourmon, who transitioned from a finance career to lead the maison with fresh vision, Joseph Perrier continues to evolve while honoring its heritage.
The event, co-hosted by Fourmon and renowned Champagne specialist Dame Chevalier Sara Underdown, featured an insightful masterclass followed by a meticulously paired lunch. Attendees delved into the house's legacy across its 21 hectares of vineyards, where terroir-driven expressions shine. With premium bottles exported to around 60 countries—Australia notably ranking in the top five markets—Joseph Perrier produces celebratory and gastronomy-focused Champagnes that emphasize elegance, indulgence, and innovation, including single-parcel wines and greater fruit ripeness.
The star was the limited-edition Cuvée 200 from the 2015 harvest, an Extra Brut vintage with extended aging on lees, yielding notes of brioche and creamy textures in a production of just 5,000 bottles, including majestic 3L formats. This cuvée embodied the maison's passion. Other highlights included the mineral-driven La Ciergelot 2020, a 100% Pinot Meunier evoking small berry fruits, green clay salinity, and food-friendly finesse; the Côte à Bras 2016, a chalky, salty Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs with delicate cleanliness ideal for oysters; the complex Cuvée Joséphine 2014, dating back to 1847 traditions with layers of depth; and the refreshing Rosé Cuvée Royale, bursting with strawberry indulgence.
Entrecôte's menu elevated the experience, starting with spiced beef croquettes paired seamlessly with the Vintage 2018. Entrées offered choices like grilled local asparagus with Comté mousse, Portarlington mussels in escabèche, or a spring terrine, accompanied by La Ciergelot 2020 and Côte à Bras 2016.
Mains showcased the signature steak frites from premium Rangers Valley Angus, alongside pan-fried hapuka in Champagne velouté or a vegetarian tart, matched brilliantly with the 2014 Cuvée Joséphine and the impressive 3L Cuvée 200. Desserts—traditional crème brûlée, chocolate profiteroles, or a cheese selection—were sublime with the Rosé Cuvée Royale, culminating in a delicate Joséphine macaron.
Fourmon's forward-thinking approach underscores a Champagne world in flux, prioritizing terroir specificity and new expressions while maintaining the house's hallmark balance and freshness from extended lees aging—imparting brioche and biscuit flavors through yeast autolysis, not skin contact. This bicentenary lunch at Entrecôte not only toasted two centuries of excellence but hinted at exciting futures, proving Joseph Perrier's bubbles remain as vibrant and indispensable as ever. Here's to many more years of sparkling sophistication.