No.8677   2004. 2. 17

Suntory to release “ Perrier- Jouët ” and “ Mumm ”

Suntory Ltd. (Head Office: Osaka, President: Nobutada Saji) is to affiliate with famous French champagne houses Perrier-Jouët and Mumm, and will become importer and distributor in Japan for both brands. “ Perrier-Jouët Cuvée Belle Epoque ”, “ Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut ” and other 8 items will be released from the 1st of April, 2004 across Japan nation wide.

Suntory is the leading company of wine in Japan, who has expanded and strengthened its brand portfolios by affiliating with various world famed wineries, to offer valuable wines to customers. Japanese champagne market is expected to grow in middle and long term view and the followings are Suntory’s perspective in adding Perrier-Jouët and Mumm into its champagne portfolio.

(1) Champagne houses, which possess self owned vineyards, and able to offer stable supply of high quality champagnes.

(2) Worldwide famed champagne houses, with strong brand power.

(3) Well resourced champagne houses, which are possible to invest on product quality or branding in mid and long term perspective.

Perrier-Jouët owns 65 ha width vineyards, and offers the most sought after select champagne for its dominant presence of white Chardonnay grapes that offers elegant taste. The champagnes are praised as four star champagnes by American expert wine critic, Mr. Robert Parker. The flagship product “ Belle Epoque “ is known for its stunning bottle, designed by émile Gallé.

Mumm owns 218 ha width vineyards, and it is a champagne house ranked the third for its sales amount worldwide. Mumm is also widely known as the official auto race sponsor of Formula 1 (F1 auto race).

Perrier-Jouët and Mumm were both historically independent champagne houses at first.“ Mumm ”, then, took over “ Perrier-Jouët ” in 1959, and they became “ Mumm Perrier-Jouët ”group.
Later in December 2000, the group affiliated with Allied Domecq, the second largest spirits company. Suntory also formed mutual capital alliance with Allied Domecq in 1988.

Perrier-Jouët was established in Epernay, Champagne, France, on the year of 1811. It is a prestige champagne house and the 65 ha width self owned vineyards are mostly Grand Cru. Perrier-Jouët was praised as four star champagnes by American expert wine critic, Mr. Robert Parker.

The bottle of flagship champagne “ Belle Epoque ” was designed by émile Gallé in 1902, who is one of the artists represents Art Nouveau era. In 1964, a wine maker was struck by the beautiful anemone painted bottle founded in Perrier-Jouët’s cave, and decided to make special Cuvée suited for. Five years later in 1969, “ Belle Epoque ” was first released in an exclusive restaurant “ Maxim’s ”, and a high class delicatessen store “ Fauchon ” in Paris. Since then, “ Belle Epoque ” has been enjoyed in all over the world, such as in Paris, London and New York, for its dominant presence of white Chardonnay grapes that offers elegant taste, and also the glamorous design of the bottle that has been known as “ Fleur de Champagne ”, that is “ Flores of Champagne ”.

• Loyalty on the Grand Cru vineyards

The 65 ha self owned vineyard of Perrier-Jouët is mostly Grand Cru. Among of these, one of the most exclusive Chardonnay is harvested in Cotes du Blanc, Cramant and Avize, which creates Perrier-Jouët’s elegant and finesse origin style.

• Product Information

“ Perrier-Jouët Cuvée Belle Epoque 1996 ”

Aesthetically blended champagne of Chardonnay from Grand Cru vineyards in Cotes du Blanc , added with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, offers exquisite elegance and finesse taste, combined with complex and glamorous taste.

“ Perrier-Jouët Cuvée Belle Epoque Rosé 1997 ”

“ Belle Epoque Rosé ” is made from Chardonnay blended with Pinot Noir. It offers full body, elegant and finesse taste of Belle Epoque. The anemone designed transparent bottle and beautiful salmon pink color are coupled to produce glamour to the champagne.

< Company Information >

CHAMPAGNE Perrier-Jouët

Location      Epernay, Champagne, France

Established      1811

President      Mr.Jean-Marie Barillére

Vineyard area      65 ha

Production quantity      Approx. 2.5 million bottles / year

Sales region      More than 50 countries worldwide (France, USA, UK, etc.)

Mumm was established in Lens, Champagne, France, and it holds the third largest sales of champagne worldwide. The champagne house owns 218 ha vineyards which mostly are Grand Cru vineyards, in Cramant and Verzenay, and manufactures high quality champagnes consistently from cultivation to vintage. The flagship champagne “ Cordon Rouge ” is mainly made from Pinot Noir, blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier to create superbly balanced champagne. Since its first release in 1875, Mumm champagnes are enjoyed in more than 100 countries worldwide. Its label has impressive design of red strap on white back ground, and appeared itself on one of the scenes in “ Casablanca ” and Ernest Hemingway’s “ The Sun Also Rises ”. Also, Japanese artist, Leonard Fujita, who was involved in creative activities of Ecole de Paris, painted Mumm Rosé’s label, and also, grand Fresco paint on the cathedral of “ Notterdam de la Paix ” built in Mumm’s premise. The cathedral was then called as “ Fujita Chapel ”, and became one of the most famous sight spot in Champagne now.

• Product Information

Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut

Mumm’s flagship champagne which is blended with Pinot Noir (45%), Chardonnay (30%) and Pinot Meunier (25%), and offers fine balanced dry taste. The moderate sugar content brings out brut type’s pleasant taste.

Mumm de Cramant Grand Cru

Mumm’s exclusive champagne, made from 100 percent Cramant’s grapes, which are cultivated in Grand Cru vineyards in Cotes de Blanc. It is a dry type champagne with Char#8217;s delicate and fine sparklings.

Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut Millesime 1998

Vintage champagne of Cordon Rouge only made during good years.

Mumm Demi-sec

Fruity, refreshing, and delicate sweet taste champagne, suitable also with dessert meal.

Mumm Brut Rosé

Rosé champagne based of Cordon Rouge, added with powerful Pinot Noir taste.

Mumm Carte Classic

Traditional champagne enjoyed by European court since 1879. Its taste lies between Brut and Demi-sec that offers delicate sweet, combined with smooth fruity taste originated from Pinot Meunier. It is served and enjoyed in wide range of dining scenes from aperitif, main meal to desserts.

< Company Information >

Champagne G.H. Mumm & Cie

Location      Lens, Champagne, France

Established      1827

President      Mr. Jean-Marie Barillére

Vineyard owned      218 ha

Production quantity      Approx. 8 million bottles

Sales region      More than 100 countries worldwide (France, USA, UK, Italy, etc.)

* Data from “ IMPACT ” 2003

< Reference >

Suntory owned / affiliated wineries

Product Outline

• Name of product, color/types, volume/packaging and price

Perrier-Jouët

Mumm

• Release date and sales region
1st of April, 2004 Japan nation wide

Enquiry of the information, please contact to:
Suntory Customer Center Toll free number: 0120-0139-310
(Tokyo) Moto-Akasaka 1-2-3, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8430, Japan
(Osaka) Dojimahama 2-1-40, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-8203, Japan
Wine website: http://www.suntory.co.jp/wine/