Perrier-Jouët unveils new vintage pack design

Champagne Perrier-Jouët has unveiled the 2005 vintage of its Cuvée Belle Epoque Rosé in a limited-edition bottle designed by Brazilian artist Vik Muniz.

Muniz’s design is a fairy-tale fusion of a brilliant golden hummingbird with the Perrier-Jouët anemone motif that has adorned all bottles of Belle Époque since 1964 and was first created for the House by leading art nouveau protagonist Emile Gallé in 1902. 

Originally created from scraps of gold, the enchanting scene was photographed by the artist and applied to the Belle Epoque bottle via a gold plate on which the hummingbird seemingly flies towards the foreground anemones. Clear glass allows the wine’s salmon pink shade to offset Muniz’s delicately sensual depiction.

Muniz shares Perrier-Jouët’s Art Nouveau-inspired belief in bringing beauty to everyday life. The artist works in natural materials ranging from diamonds to dust, transforming commonplace objects into works of art. “Much as Perrier-Jouët has long embraced Art Nouveau’s love of nature and enchantment, I took the idea of captivation in a natural setting as the inspiration for this motif” he explains.

Cellar master Hervé Deschamps describes the wine as “the most extravagant wine of the Belle Epoque Collection” reflecting a year of contrasts crowned by a spectacular Indian summer. Grand Cru Chardonnay is predominant in the blend (50%) with Pinot Noir (45%) giving the wine its salmon-pink hue, and Pinot Meunier (5%) provides the finishing touch. After nine years ageing in the House’s cellars, the result is a perfect balance between the year’s character and Perrier-Jouët’s house style.

Released this month in time for the festive season, the cuvée Belle Epoque Rosé 2005 limited edition by Vik Muniz, distributed by Pernod Ricard, is limited to 2000 bottles, of which 200 will be available in the UK with a RRP of £248. The wine will also be available in Brazil, France, Japan and the US.

23 September 2014 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor