Joseph Perrier — 200 Years of Royal Champagne from Châlons
Joseph Perrier Fils & Cie is a Négociant-Manipulant from Châlons-en-Champagne (formerly Châlons-sur-Marne), founded 1825 by Joseph Perrier in Avize, moved to Avenue de Paris in Châlons in 1827. Today Benjamin Fourmon runs the maison in the 6th generation since 2019 — his father Jean-Claude Fourmon is honorary president. In 2025, Joseph Perrier celebrated its 200th anniversary with the limited Cuvée 200 and the first JOJO Festival.
The maison manages 24 hectares of estate vineyards in Premier Cru sites, spread across five villages: Cumières, Damery and Hautvillers in the Vallée de la Marne as well as Verneuil and Bassuet in the Vitryat. The underground cellars sit on Gallo-Roman chalk terroirs — recognized as UNESCO World Heritage in 2015, awarded the Prix Pierre Cheval by Mission Coteaux in 2022. Above the cellars, an arboretum with beehives naturally regulates the temperature.
History
Joseph Perrier, son of François-Alexandre Perrier, founded his trading house in 1825 in Avize. Two years later he moved to Châlons-sur-Marne and acquired buildings with thousand-year-old chalk cellars on Avenue de Paris. In 1854, Joseph Perrier became mayor of the city, a position he held until 1860. The newspaper L'Illustration praised the maison in 1862 as "one of the most interesting in Champagne." In 1856, his son Émile Armand joined the management, took sole control after his father's death in 1870 and led the house to international recognition — winning a gold medal at the 1878 Exposition universelle de Paris.
In 1888, Paul Pithois, a family cousin and vineyard owner in Cumières, Hautvillers and Damery, took over the maison. Pithois had received advice from Louis Pasteur and brought viticultural know-how to the house. In 1889, Joseph Perrier became the official champagne supplier to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII — the designation "Cuvée Royale" dates back to this time. For the 100th anniversary in 1925, Paul's sons Pierre and Roger led the maison. In 1950, Georges Pithois, Roger's son, took sole control and modernized the production facilities with concrete tanks. In 1959, the giant wooden Joseph Perrier bottle was created as a symbol of the Foire de Châlons-en-Champagne.
In 1976, Joseph Perrier collaborated with British Airways on the Concorde's maiden flight. In 1979, Jean-Claude Fourmon, Georges Pithois's nephew, joined the maison, became CEO in 1985 and led the house into modernity. In 1981, he gave Prince Charles a numbered magnum of Joseph Perrier Vintage 1975 for his wedding. In 1982, he launched the first Cuvée Joséphine, the range's flagship, named after Joseph Perrier's favorite daughter. In 2017, Nathalie Laplaige became chef de caves. In 2019, Jean-Claude Fourmon handed over management to his son Benjamin Fourmon, the sixth generation.
Vignoble & Terroir
Joseph Perrier manages 24 hectares of estate vineyards across five villages: Cumières, Damery, Hautvillers (all Vallée de la Marne, Premier Cru) as well as Verneuil and Bassuet in the Vitryat. Special attention is given to the Vitryat region — the vineyards in Verneuil are already organically farmed. The soils are limestone on Gallo-Roman chalk terroirs. The arboretum above the cellars naturally regulates temperature and houses beehives that contribute to biodiversity.
Viticulture & Sustainability
The maison practices Viticulture Raisonnée — sustainable, responsible farming with natural grass cover in the vineyards (Enherbement), reduction of inputs, responsible resource management and promotion of biodiversity through hedges and rose bushes. All grapes are hand-harvested. Since March 2021, Joseph Perrier has been VDC (Viticulture Durable en Champagne) and HVE 3 (Haute Valeur Environnementale) certified. The maison also holds ISO 22000 certification for food safety and is Vegan certified. 90% of industrial waste is recycled, the maison works according to circular economy principles. In 2021, Joseph Perrier received the Ecotourisme de la Marne label.
Vinification
Joseph Perrier works according to the Méthode traditionnelle champenoise. The grapes are gently and progressively pressed to obtain pure, delicate juice. Fermentation takes place partially separated by parcels in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The philosophy emphasizes freshness, balance and timelessness — no extremes, but classic champagne style. The dosage varies by cuvée: Cuvée Royale Brut is around 8.5 g/l, the Brut Nature at 0 g/l.
The Cuvées in Detail
Cuvée Royale Brut
The range's all-rounder, named after the royal designation from 1889. 35% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 30% Meunier from Premier Cru sites, 36 months aging. Aromas of citrus fruits, apple, pear, fine brioche notes. Fresh, lightly creamy, very balanced — a reliable companion.
35% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 30% Meunier · 8.5 g/l · 36 months · Premier Cru
Cuvée Royale Blanc de Blancs
Pure Chardonnay, expression of the white grape variety from the maison's Premier Cru sites. Details on dosage and winemaking not published.
100% Chardonnay
Cuvée Royale Brut Nature
Vinified without dosage to let the pure fruit and minerality of the terroir speak. Selected by James Suckling for the Top 100.
0 g/l Dosage
Cuvée Royale Brut Rosé
The rosé interpretation of the royal line. Details on assemblage and dosage not communicated.
Cuvée Royale Vintage 2018
Vintage cuvée from the 2018 year. Rated 96/100 points by Wine Enthusiast.
Vendange 2018
Cuvée Royale Demi-Sec
The sweeter variant of the Royale line for dessert pairings or lovers of more residual sugar.
Joséphine 2014
The prestige cuvée, named after Joseph Perrier's daughter, whose wedding was celebrated in 1849 — 2024 was the 175th anniversary. Limited numbered edition, Vendange 2014. Wine Enthusiast award. The current edition was created in artistic collaboration with Jordane Saget.
Vendange 2014 · limited edition
La Côte à Bras 2016
Pure Pinot Noir from a single parcel in Cumières, Vendange 2016. Intensity and structure: ripe fruits, gentle spices, beautiful balance. Pairing recommendation: morels, aged Comté.
100% Pinot Noir · Vendange 2016 · Cumières, une parcelle
Le Ciergelot
Part of the Collection Parcellaires: one parcel, one grape variety, one year, one wine. Details on millésime, cépage and terroir will be communicated at launch.
Collection Parcellaires
Les Chalmonts
Also Collection Parcellaires. Launch announced for April 17th.
Collection Parcellaires
Cuvée 200
Anniversary cuvée for the 200th anniversary, Vendange 2015. Limited numbered edition, first presented in 2025.
Vendange 2015 · Bicentenaire · limited numbered edition
My Tastings
- Cuvée Royale Brut · 27.04.2025 — Fresh, balanced all-rounder with citrus, apple, pear and fine brioche. Lightly creamy texture, very approachable. Makes you want more.
Facts
Nach einer regnerischen Woche heute: Sonne, frische Luft, Sonntag – und das perfekte Frühstück dazu. Nichts durchgeplant, einfach ein buntes…
| Category | NM (Négociant-Manipulant) |
| Founded | 1825 by Joseph Perrier |
| Location | 69 Avenue de Paris, 51000 Châlons-en-Champagne |
| Region | Vallée de la Marne, Vitryat |
| Estate vineyards | 24 hectares |
| Villages | Cumières, Damery, Hautvillers, Verneuil, Bassuet |
| Cru status | Premier Cru |
| Management | Benjamin Fourmon (6th generation since 2019) |
| Chef de caves | Nathalie Laplaige (since 2017) |
| Certifications | VDC, HVE 3, ISO 22000, Vegan |
| Special feature | UNESCO World Heritage cellars (2015), Prix Pierre Cheval (2022), 200th anniversary 2025 |
| Website | josephperrier.com |
| @champagnejosephperrier | |
| Phone | +33 3 26 68 29 51 |
| visite@josephperrier.fr |
Sources for this portrait: Maison website, personal tastings, CRM data and cross-checks. Fields without sufficient verification remain open.