There are different champagnes in the champagne world. Even within the houses, you’ll find different cuvées and wines. It can be hard to choose which you prefer as it depends on the occasion. It also depends on the moment, who you are with, what you’re doing or celebrating. This is why champagne is quite magical – it’s a wine but with a different experience.
I represent two champagne houses – GH Mumm and Perrier-Jouët. Mumm is more elegantly masculine. It’s quite an intense wine – it’s more the Pinot Noir style blend. And, of course, it’s the right champagne for celebration. It’s all about the passion for victory and this is part of the DNA of Mumm.
Perrier-Jouët, on the other hand, is more about artistic beauty; it is focused on art and craftsmanship. The house has a very bespoke approach to the things it does. It’s a very alluring and elegant wine, more on the Chardonnay side. So, while they are very different, both Mumm and Perrier-Jouët are very complementary. They’re like a couple!
Perrier-Jouët is a smaller house compared with Mumm. In terms of distribution, Perrier-Jouët is more narrowly upscale and high-end, while Mumm is wider. Perrier-Jouët is the more aspirational brand, with its link to the anemone flower. It’s more feminine in a way but very artistic and very elegant, especially the Belle Epoque. Mumm can be elegant too although it is more lively, as you can tell from the red sash on the label, which is iconic of the house.
I love both brands and it’s really difficult to choose one from the other. Mumm has a fantastic Blanc de Blancs, which is very refined and subtle, and part of the Prestige Cuvée range. If I want to celebrate with friends, I’d probably choose the Cordon Rouge, the signature cuvée. If it’s a more romantic occasion or if you’re in a garden during summer, for example, Perrier-Jouët’s Belle Epoque will certainly be a part of this moment.
Many people forget that champagne is wine – just with bubbles – and is meant to work well with food. Napoléon once said about champagne, “In victory one deserves it, in defeat one needs itâ€, so it doesn’t mean you can’t drink champagne if you’re unhappy. I think you should always have a bottle of it in your fridge! It’s an experience – as soon as you open a bottle of champagne, something magical happens. It brings happiness, celebration, prestige… there’s a mystery behind the bubbles.
