Founded in 1812, Champagne Laurent-Perrier has become one of the most internationally respected Houses in Champagne, known for elegant, Chardonnay-focused cuvées and pioneering winemaking techniques. Based in Tours-sur-Marne at the confluence of three major growing areas—the Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims and Vallée de la Marne—the House remains family-controlled, shaped by the enduring legacy of the de Nonancourt family. Laurent-Perrier's defining characteristic is its commitment to purity, freshness and minimal intervention, expressed through stainless steel fermentation, extended ageing and a house style that privileges finesse over power.
Quick Facts
- Location: Tours-sur-Marne, Champagne, France
- Founded: 1812
- House identity: Chardonnay-focused Champagne with emphasis on purity and freshness
- Family legacy: De Nonancourt family, particularly Bernard de Nonancourt who led the House from 1948 to 2010
- Signature cuvée: La Cuvée
- Prestige cuvée: Grand Siècle, a multi-vintage blend
- Iconic rosé: Cuvée Rosé, produced by maceration since 1968
- Cellar philosophy: Extended ageing beyond minimum AOC requirements
- Fermentation approach: Stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and aromatic precision
- Key styles: Non-vintage Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Rosé, Vintage and prestige multi-vintage Champagne
- Recognition: Consistently ranked among Champagne's leading Houses
A House Transformed by Vision
The modern identity of Laurent-Perrier was shaped decisively by Bernard de Nonancourt, who took control of the House in 1948 following the death of his mother, Marie-Louise Lanson de Nonancourt. Under his leadership across more than six decades, Laurent-Perrier evolved from a small family estate into one of Champagne's most internationally recognised names, without compromising its commitment to quality or family independence.
De Nonancourt introduced pioneering practices that would define the House's style: the adoption of stainless steel fermentation to preserve freshness, the creation of Grand Siècle as a multi-vintage prestige cuvée rather than a single-vintage wine, and the launch in 1968 of Cuvée Rosé, produced by maceration—a rarity in Champagne at the time. These innovations established Laurent-Perrier as a House willing to challenge convention in pursuit of purity and elegance.
The Chardonnay Focus
Chardonnay lies at the heart of Laurent-Perrier's identity, bringing luminosity, finesse and aromatic precision to the House's wines. The grape is sourced primarily from premier and grand cru sites across the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, where chalk-rich soils and careful viticulture produce Chardonnay of exceptional balance and expressive clarity.
This Chardonnay emphasis shapes every cuvée, from the refined non-vintage La Cuvée—where Chardonnay typically represents over 50 per cent of the blend—to the pure expression of Laurent-Perrier Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru. The result is a house style characterised by restrained fruit, fine mousse, bright acidity and a graceful structure that favours elegance over weight.
Grand Siècle and the Art of Blending
At the summit of the portfolio stands Grand Siècle, Laurent-Perrier's prestige cuvée and one of Champagne's most distinctive wines. Unlike traditional vintage Champagnes, Grand Siècle is blended from three exceptional years—chosen not consecutively, but for their complementary characteristics—to achieve a level of harmony and complexity that transcends any single harvest.
The House's philosophy holds that blending great vintages produces a wine of greater balance and completeness than any vintage alone. Grand Siècle is composed exclusively of grand cru Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, typically in equal proportions, and receives extended ageing on the lees before release. The resulting Champagne combines richness, precision and remarkable longevity.
Alongside Grand Siècle, Cuvée Rosé remains one of the world's most recognised rosé Champagnes. Produced by maceration of Pinot Noir rather than the more common blending method, it offers intensity, structure and a distinctive salmon-pink colour that has become synonymous with Laurent-Perrier's approach to rosé.
Freshness Through Patience
Laurent-Perrier's winemaking is defined by minimal intervention and extended maturation. Fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks preserves the natural freshness and aromatic purity of each parcel, while ageing periods consistently exceed the minimum requirements set by Champagne AOC regulations.
La Cuvée, the House's signature non-vintage Brut, ages for a minimum of four years before release—substantially longer than the legally required 15 months. This patient approach allows the wine to develop complexity and roundness while retaining the vibrant freshness that defines the Laurent-Perrier style. The result is a collection of Champagnes that balance immediate appeal with the structure and finesse to evolve gracefully over time.
