Champagne is a sparkling wine that originates from the Champagne region of France. To be classified as champagne rather than as sparkling wine, the beverage has several requirements.
This includes specific locations where the grapes can be harvested, the process that champagne houses must follow in producing the beverage, and the types of grapes that can be used.
In this article, we are going to look at the Laurent-Perrier champagne house and the products it produces. We will look at the history of the champagne house, which products they produce, and some alternatives to it.
A Brief History of Laurent-Perrier
Established in 1812 by André Michel Pierlot, the House of Laurent-Perrier is a champagne house that has continued to grow and improve as they have produced champagne. It was renamed after Mathilde Emilie Perrier expanded the business, combining her name Perrier with her husband’s name, Laurent. It was then sold to Marie-Louise Lanson de Nonancourt in 1939.
Her son, Bernard, began an apprenticeship in 1945 where he learned every aspect of winemaking before he was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive of the company in October 1948. At the time of his appointment, Laurent-Perrier was shipping 80 000 bottles of champagne a year.
Bernard is credited as being one of the main reasons for the brand’s success. He established relationships with grape growers for exclusive access and combined tradition and innovation to produce the iconic champagne. Since its establishment, Laurent-Perrier is now exported to over 160 countries worldwide.
The history behind the physical champagne house is just as interesting. Cellar Master, Eugène Laurent, inherited the Alphonse Pierlot Champagne House in 1881 and worked to use the house as a foundation to create quality champagne.
Laurent bought vines in Ambonnay, Tours-sur-Marne, and Bouzy. He also created 800 meters of cellars to store the wines and set up a tasting laboratory to test new combinations.
Since then, the headquarters of Laurent-Perrier has remained in Tours-sur-Marne with the Estate being called Domaine Laurent-Perrier.
The village is situated between Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, and Vallèe de la Marne which are the main wine-growing areas in the region.
Prices, Variations & Sizes of Laurent-Perrier Champagne
Laurent-Perrier has 7 variations of champagne, each with a unique taste and flavor profile.
The Ultra Brut is made using 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir grapes with reserve wines used from a complimentary year to round out the champagne.
In comparison, Brut Nature is made 100% using Chardonnay grapes, with notes of citrus and hints of lemon on the palate.
The Cuvée Rosé was created in 1968 using a composition of 100% Pinot Noir grapes with notes of red fruits like strawberries, black cherries, and redcurrant. Grand Siècle is a blend of 3 “exceptional” years that complement one another.
The N°25 variations include wines made with chardonnay and pinot noir grapes from 2008 (65%), 2007 (25%), and 2006 (10%). The N°23 variations are made with the same grapes and wines from 2006 (65%), 2004 (20%), and 2002 (15%).
Laurent-Perrier’s Alexandra Rosé is made using 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay grapes with a soft salmon pink color and notes of strawberries and candied fruits. The rarely vintaged Brut Millésimé 2012 is made with equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes with a flowery nose and hints of white peaches and citrus.
Harmony is made with 45% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 15% Pinot Meunier grapes and is aged for only 3 years. Meanwhile, the La Cuvée is made with more than 50% Chardonnay, between 30% and 35% Pinot Noir, and between 10% and 15% Pinot Meunier. It is aged for 4 years and has notes of fresh citrus and white flowers.
The average aging period for the champagnes differs on the type with the Rosé having an aging period of 5 years, the Brut and Ultra Brut for 6 years, the Rosé 2004 10 years, and the Siècles having 12 and 14 years respectively.
With an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 12% to 13% (24 to 26 proof), this champagne has a similar strength to most other champagnes available on the market.
| Item | Average Price | Size per Bottle |
| Laurent-Perrier Ultra Brut | $79 (excl. tax) | 750 ml |
| Laurent-Perrier Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature | $80 (excl. tax) | 750 ml |
| Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé | $78 (excl. tax) | 750 ml |
| Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle N°25 | $147 (excl. tax) | 750 ml |
| Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle N°23 | $171 (excl. tax) | 750 ml |
| Laurent-Perrier Alexandra Rosé 2004 | $249 (excl. tax) | 750 ml |
| Laurent-Perrier Brut Millésimé 2012 | $57 (excl. tax) | 750 ml |
| Laurent-Perrier Harmony | $47 (excl. tax) | 750 ml |
| Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée | $57 (excl. tax) | 750 ml |
3 Alternatives to Laurent-Perrier Champagne
For a Rosé alternative, Billecart-Salmon has a Brut Rosé with an average price of $80 per 750 ml bottle.
It has notes of raspberry and an aroma of citrus zest and red berries and is made with a grape composition of Chardonnay (45%), Pinot Noir (30%), and Pinot Meunier (25%) grapes.
At alcohol by volume (ABV) of 13,5% (27 proof), this is a stronger alternative to a Rosé.
Roederer Estate’s Anderson Valley Brut is made with 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir grapes, making it a good comparison or alternative to the Laurent-Perrier Ultra Brut.
It is bottled at an alcohol content of 12,5% ABV (25 proof) and is sold for $28 per 750 ml bottle.
Ferrari Perlé Nero Riservo has an average price of $56 per 750 ml bottle and is sold at an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 12,5% (25 proof).
With a palate of citrus freshness and a nose of fruit and peanut butter, this champagne is a good comparison to the Laurent Perrier La Cuvée.
How to Drink Laurent-Perrier Champagne
The best way to drink Laurent-Perrier Champagne is to take it slowly. Champagne should be poured into a champagne flute slowly to avoid a buildup of bubbles and to give the beverage time to settle.
The drink should be poured gently down the side of the glass, with Daniel Brennan (PR and communications director) stating you should not tilt the glass as it is not beer.
You can drink the befevered from either a champagne flute or champagne coupe as it comes down to preference. Tulip-shaped flutes will produce more bubbles as there is a concentration of them at the bottom of the glass while the coupe looks the part.
It truly comes down to how you prefer to drink your champagne. Laurent-Perrier should be stored in a dark room at a temperature of 6 to 10° Celsius (43 to 50° Fahrenheit) on its side.
If you want to add a twist to your champagne you can add fruit pieces (cherries, raspberries, strawberries, etc.) to add a fun twist to the end of your drink.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laurent Perrier a dry Champagne?
Laurent-Perrier offers both sweet and dry champagnes. The Ultra Brut is the driest option available and tends to have a sugar content between 0 and 6 grams, while the Harmony is a sweeter demi-sec with a sugar content of 19 to 30 grams.
Where is Laurent-Perrier Champagne from?
Laurent Perrier’s headquarters is Domaine Laurent-Perrier 51150 in Tours-sur-Marne in France. Tours-sur-Marne is a commune in France in the northeastern region of the country.
Which Laurent-Perrier champagne is the healthiest?
Brut and Extra Brut tend to have a lower sugar content and thus a lower calorie count than the champagne offered by the brand. Therefore, Ultra Brut and Brut Nature are likely the healthier options.
