Perrier-Jouet Celebrates its 200th Anniversary in Paris With the Unveiling of the World's First Living Legacy Champagne

PARIS, March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- First day of Spring, 2011. Last night saw Champagne House Perrier-Jouet celebrate its bicentenary with the unveiling of Bi-Centenaire-the very first Living Legacy champagne designed to be passed on to future generations.

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An exclusive guest list gathered for the unveiling of a new kind of Champagne experience by the house renowned globally for its Belle Epoque Cuvee. Guests were also treated to the unveiling of a new work of art commissioned from American artist Daniel Arsham, designed to embody the spirit of Bi-Centenaire-A true invitation to celebrate life.

Perrier-Jouet Bi-Centenaire tells the unexpected tale of a great vintage wine with two stories. The first takes place today: a champagne-lover treats himself to a magnum of Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque 1998. Many years later, a descendant in turn enjoys a magnum of Belle Epoque 1998, passed down through the generations, preciously stored in a private cellar in Perrier-Jouet for up to 100 years.

To achieve this elegant defiance of time, the vintage has been carefully chosen for its exceptional ageing capacity by current Cellar Master Herve Deschamps, the only seventh cellar master in the house's 200 year-history.

Just 200 guests from 10 countries attended the private launch, set in the stunning glass courtyard of the iconic Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, symbolizing Perrier-Jouet's passionate family spirit for passing on artisanal and artistic craftsmanship. Guests enjoyed a unique exhibition of photographic portraits by legendary Studio Harcourt, showcasing iconic examples of family legacy including French movie stars Alain Delon and daughter Anouchka, American model and actress Jerry Hall and daughter Georgia May Jagger, Catherine Deneuve and son Christian Vadim, French artists Jean-Charles de Castelbajac and son Louis-Marie, the world's oldest Circus dynasty Patriarch Sampion Bouglione and son Francesco, France's oldest Jeweller Olivier Mellerio and daughter Emilie and Italian legendary wine maker Marquis Antinori and daughter Alegra.

A sumptuous champagne-paired celebratory dinner followed, orchestrated by notorious French Chef Jean-Louis Nomicos who reinterpreted superbly the 1911 Perrier-Jouet Centenary menu with his mentor Alain Ducasse, themselves gastronomic symbols of legacy, paired with Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque Cuvees, including the exceptional Cuvee Belle Epoque 1998 in magnum.

Amongst the other VIP guests were also Spanish choreographer and dancer Blanca Li, English designer and restaurateur Sir Terence Conran and Daughter Sophie designer Noe Duchaufour-Lawrance, French TV presenter Stephane Bern, Japanese art photographer Makiko Takehara, Spanish Fashion Designer Isaac Reina, Michelin star Chefs Albert & Alain Roux.

Speaking on the night, Chairman & CEO of Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouet Lionel Breton: ""We are very proud celebrate tonight the bicentenary of Perrier-Jouet with this unique champagne experience as a real tribute to the house's remarkable craftsmanship and passion for passing on a sense of French art de vivre to future generations".

The evening concluded with the unveiling of Daniel Arsham's unique diptych sculpture, revealing glimpses of the bottles through an original and distinctive architecture, designed to express the philosophy of this champagne. Daniel Arsham: It was this spirit of Perrier-Jouet continuity that I wanted to illustrate by creating a diptych that combined both the essence of Perrier-Jouet and my universe. My initial inspiration came from Perrier-Jouet's vines and its cellars, the detail of Emile Galle's anemone flower".

Perrier-Jouet Bi-Centenaire is available in very limited quantities (100 pieces only) at the Champagne House's Boutique in Epernay and by appointment only including a privileged hospitality experience. It is also available through the exclusive Pernod Ricard network for an average RSP of 10 000 euros.

Last night saw that exceptional skill in wine-making is truly worthy of bequeathing as a legacy to the next generation who embody the same art de vivre.

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    Press inquiries/further information

Please contact: Stephanie Mingam - Perrier-Jouet Communications Department, [email protected], +33-(0)6-27-00-24-76 / +33-(0)3-26-49-69-77

SOURCE Champagne Perrier-Jouet