Laurent-Perrier

Laurent-Perrier

I've tasted 3 Champagnes from Laurent-Perrier — enough to form a solid impression. A house from Champagne that works with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and shows a clear signature style across their range.

Laurent-Perrier is one of the great houses that's often underestimated. While everyone talks about Moet, Veuve and Krug, Laurent-Perrier works quietly and consistently in Tours-sur-Marne. Located across from Hautvillers, the village of Dom Perignon — yet in the shadow of louder neighbors.

What impresses me about Laurent-Perrier: They made rosé Champagne respectable with their Cuvée Rosé Brut. In the 1960s, when rosé Champagne was considered inferior, Bernard de Nonancourt — the legendary patron of the house — bet on the method of maceration, direct skin contact with Pinot Noir grapes instead of the usual assemblage with red wine. The result was a stronger, more serious rosé than anything the market knew. To this day, Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé is a reference for this category.

The house's Prestige Cuvée, Grand Siècle, is among the most underestimated great Champagnes. While Cristal, Dom Pérignon and Comtes de Champagne are conceived as vintage Champagnes, Grand Siècle is an assemblage from three selected vintages — exclusively from Grand Cru sites. The idea behind it: The perfect Champagne isn't created in a single year, but through combining the best qualities of multiple vintages. A fascinating approach that I absolutely want to experience in a glass someday.

The Range

Laurent-Perrier offers 3 different Cuvées that I was able to try. In the program: Blanc de Blancs, Rosé, vintage Champagne. A focused range that puts quality over quantity.

The Cuvées in Detail

La Cuvée Brut

Fine bubbles, citrusy and clear Champagne – a reliable all-rounder for relaxed evenings. Highlights: fresh, floral, classically balanced, Chardonnay-dominated.

La Cuvée is the entry level at Laurent-Perrier — and one of the best entry-level Champagnes on the market. The high Chardonnay content gives it a freshness and elegance that you rarely find among competitors in this price range. Compared to Moet Imperial, La Cuvée is significantly finer and less broad. Compared to Taittinger Brut Reserve, similarly elegant but somewhat rounder.

Type: Brut | Grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

Cuvée Rosé Brut

Fresh acidity and red fruit aromas characterize this Rosé de macération from 100% Pinot Noir. A versatile Champagne that works surprisingly well even with simple dishes like schnitzel. Highlights: red fruit aromas, fresh acidity, 100% Pinot Noir, Rosé de macération.

The Cuvée Rosé is the house's true icon for me. The maceration with 100% Pinot Noir gives this rosé a depth and seriousness that goes far beyond what most rosé Champagnes offer. The color is stronger than assemblage rosés, the fruit darker and riper. That it also works with a simple schnitzel shows its versatility — this isn't a Champagne just for aperitifs.

My tip: Anyone who considers rosé Champagne a gimmick should try this one. It might change their mind.

Type: Rosé | Grape varieties: Pinot Noir

La Cuvée

Wonderfully fresh with citrus notes, white peach and a light brioche nuance. Fine perlage and elegant structure from at least 4 years of lees aging. Highlights: citrus notes, white peach, brioche, fine perlage.

Type: Blanc de Blancs | Vintage: 2019 | Grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

My Tastings

Conclusion

Laurent-Perrier is the house of quiet class for me. No marketing fireworks, no golden bottles, no celebrity collaborations. Instead: solid craftsmanship, an iconic rosé and with Grand Siècle a Prestige Cuvée that goes its completely own way. Compared to the grower Champagnes I usually drink, it naturally lacks the individuality of small producers. But as a large house, Laurent-Perrier does many things right — especially keeping the Chardonnay proportion high and giving the wines time.