What happens when an illustrious Champagne house joins forces with an international design duo? In the case of Perrier-Jouët and mischer’traxler, the result is ‘Small Discoveries’: a brand new, limited edition collection with nature, the Arts and excellence at its core.
The ‘Small Discoveries’ collection features the celebrated Belle Époque 2007 vintage, fresh design and isothermal gift box. Of particular note is mischer’traxler’s unique bottle design, combining a silk-screen printed flutter of butterflies between Perrier-Jouët’s traditional anemones. Such references to nature and the use of handcraft processes are characteristic to the core principles and rich variety of expression associated with the Art Nouveau movement. In the same way, blending art with craftsmanship and infusing nature and beauty into everyday objects are chief proponents to Perrier-Jouët’s House philosophy.
Moving onto the Champagne itself, the remarkable Belle Époque 2007 is the vintage of choice in this collection. Carefully selected by Chef du Caves Herve Deschamps, it is light gold in colour with an almost radiant clarity with fine, vibrant bubbles. On the nose it has magnolia, honeysuckle and citrus aromas cloaked in just-ripe pear and peach notes with a hint of minerality. On the palate it has a wonderfully persistent crystalline freshness followed by a bold attack, revealing the white-fruit flavours complemented by notes of almond milk.
The third and final feature of the collection is the crisp-white, metallic gift box. Its isothermal tin ensures that the champagne stays cool, and is entirely reusable. Ideal for transporting to friends, parties, picnic and more!
mischer’traxler’s ‘Small Discoveries’ design is just part of their ongoing relationship with Perrier-Jouët. At London Design Festival earlier this year, Perrier-Jouët commissioned the duo to create ‘Curiosity Cloud’: an exceptional endeavour comprising 250 mouth-blown glass globes hanging within the V&A’s famous Norfolk House Music Room and tickling all the senses in a truly interactive manner. A variety of species of hand fabricated insects fluttered within each globe. From a distance, the glass globes shimmered and glistened in the light; as beholders moved closer, the insects reacted by flying faster within the globes, tapping against the glass as they elevate their wings. Rather than creating their own fantasy insects, the duo felt it extremely important to use real insects which capture the true beauty of nature. 25 different species of newly discovered, endangered and everyday insects were intuitively selected based on colour, pattern, shape, wings etc. The installation was true to the style of mischer’traxler (being highly interactive exploring sound and light) and to Perrier-Jouët’s House philosophy.
Perrier-Jouët has always enjoyed a strong association with the Arts ever since its founding in 1811. The House has had a particularly close relationship with the Applied Arts and Crafts since 1902, when Art Nouveau protagonist Emile Gallé was commissioned to create the now iconic Anemone Belle Époque bottle design. Today the house continues to support leading creative minds and artistic institutions, from supporting design events to commissioning works from artists around the world – such as mischer’traxler.
The collection is now available from Fortnum & Mason, London. The Grand Brut gift box retails at £40; the Belle Époque 2007, £130 www.perrier-jouët.com
