Bottled Elegance
IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT WHEN ANINA HO HAD AN EXCLUSIVE ENCOUNTER WITH THE LIMITED EDITION BELLE EPOQUE ROSÉ 2005 FROM PERRIER-JOUËT
Champagne house Perrier-jouët has a proud history of engagement in the arts that is epitomised by its Belle Epoque bottle, which was created in 1902. An iconic design featuring white anemones by Emile Gallé, a leader of the Art Nouveau movement, graced every bottle of Belle Epoque champagne for over a century.
The French vigneron has now revived the tradition by commissioning a new limited edition bottle for its celebrated 2005 vintage of Belle Epoque Rosé. Socialite Anina Ho was one of the first people in Hong Kong to sample the champagne at a special tasting—and she was captivated before the cork had even popped.
The cuveé Belle Epoque Rosé was presented in a bottle featuring a hummingbird flying towards a sumptuous array of anemones outlined in gold. Designed by internationally acclaimed Brazilian artist Vik Muniz, it was a bold reinterpretation of the brand’s floral theme.
Anina says Perrier-jouët stands out as a champagne because its origins lie in a love story. “Before you drink it, you already think it’s a very romantic drink,” she says. “And they put not only a lot of focus on the body of the champagne but also the bottle design.
“Most champagne bottles are just plain glass. But with Perrier-jouët, you can see the floral patterns and also the signature anemones. I really love these flowers. I also know that they like to collaborate with many different artists. So it’s not just an ordinary champagne, it’s like a piece of art.”
The tasting took place at the Watches & Wonders 2014 haute horlogerie exhibition, with Perrier-jouët being the official champagne partner: The champagne house has reinvented an “Enchanted Garden” showing how art and nature have interacted in the maison’s wine-making over the years.
The limited edition Belle Epoque Rosé, which carries a recommended price tag of HK$2,438 per bottle, was unveiled for the first time in Asia at the exhibition. PerrierJouët cellar master Herve Deschamps has described it as “the most extravagant wine of the Belle Epoque Collection.”
Anina says people are likely to treasure the limited edition Belle Epoque Rosé bottle and may even try to collect them. “It is expressive, sophisticated and trendy. And I think they place quality before quantity.”
Her favourite occasion for drinking champagne is “usually paired with fine dining, because I love food,” she says. “I think the champagne can enhance the taste of the food.”
Anina says the PerrierJouët’s philosophy— with its unique bottle, attention to detail in its wine-making, and collaboration with different artists—is similar to the expert craftsmanship used for the luxury watchpieces on display at Watches & Wonders.
“It’s to do with craftsmanship and quality, tradition and history,” says Anina. “Great skill and artistry has gone into every aspect of producing this unique champagne. Perrier-jouët has paid as much attention to detail as a watchmaker working on a one-of-a-kind watch.”
ANINA HO ENJOYS A GLASS OF THE 2005 BELLE EPOQUE ROSÉ