Joseph Perrier Demi-Sec Champagne

Founded in 1825, Champagne Joseph Perrier has been owned and run by the same family since 1888. Current director Benjamin Fourmon represents the 6th generation. Joseph Perrier owns 21 hectares of vineyards on the right bank of the River Marne, around Hautvillers and Cumières, two villages classed 93% in the 'échelle des crus'. They are mostly planted with Pinot Noir but include 2 hectares of Chardonnay.

The cellars stretch over three kilometres and date back to the Gallo-Roman period. The chosen name for these cuvées is no accident, nor any false claim to grandeur.

'Cuvée Royale' alludes to the historic relationship between Joseph Perrier and Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, as the royals' Champagne of choice - probably the highest honour any Champagne house can hope to earn. All the wines are made with a keen focus on freshness and purity, a theme which runs right through the range and really shows its worth in the vintage cuvées which show impressive energy and poise and remarkable ageing potential.

A blend of 35% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 30 % Meunier from over 20 different top-ranking vineyards, including at Cumières, Damery, Hautvillers and Verneuil.

The wine ages for 36 months on the lees during the second fermentation.

Dosage = 38g/l

On the palate the Cuvée Royale Demi-Sec is rich and generous in its sweetness with flavours of yellow peach, apricot jam and
toasted brioche.