In episode 170 of The Drinking Hour podcast, David Kermode is joined by Séverine Frerson, just the eighth cellar master at Perrier-Jouët and the first woman to hold the role.
Their conversation begins with the origins of Perrier-Jouët, exploring how the philosophy of the house’s two founders, Rose Adelaide and Pierre Nicolas Perrier, still influences the winemaking today. The pair also discuss how the house incorporates art into its wine. Maison Belle Époque, the 18th-century mansion at the heart of the vineyard, houses one of the greatest collections of Art Nouveau anywhere in the world, an influence that can be felt in the style of the wine and the design of the bottles.
Frerson explains how Perrier-Jouët has adapted to the challenges posed by climate change, why she has been stopping malolactic conversion in certain vats to help preserve freshness, and the important role women have played in the evolution of Champagne. Kermode also uncovers Frerson’s favourite vintages, including Belle Époque 1988, the first cuvee of Belle Époque Blanc de Blanc 1993 and a remarkable Perrier-Jouët 1874.
Discover more episodes of The Drinking Hour with David Kermode here
