Celebrating World Champagne Day with Joseph Perrier

Mark your calendars: Friday, October 24 is World Champagne Day. While most people think the only time to drink Champagne is at a wedding, New Year’s Eve, or a big, special occasion, here at DCANTER, we believe Champagne isn’t just for birthdays and big moments.Champagne is for Tuesday nights, brunch with friends, or just because your dog let you sleep in. In short, Champagne is for celebrating the moment, whatever that moment may be.

And speaking of moments, our Marketing and Sales Manager, Pooja, recently had a pretty spectacular one. On a recent trip to France, she paid a visit to one of Champagne’s best-kept secrets: Joseph Perrier. And lucky for us, she brought back the Bubbles and the stories.

Picture this: You hop off the train in Reims, the unofficial capital of Champagne, expecting glitz and crowds. But instead, you head to a charming little town called Châlons-en-Champagne, home to one of the region’s most delicious Champagne house, Joseph Perrier.

While big names like Moët and Veuve may dominate Instagram feeds, Joseph Perrier is that effortlessly cool friend who doesn’t need to name-drop to impress. 

Founded in 1825 and still family-owned, Joseph Perrier has been crafting Champagne for nearly 200 years. In fact, they just celebrated 200 years last month!

They’ve got serious street cred too; their bottles were once served to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, which  is the name behind the flagship cuvée, the name Cuvée Royale. So yes, when you sip it, you’re literally tasting bubbles fit for royalty. Think crisp green apple, lemon zest, and a finish that makes you go, “Ahh, that’s the stuff.”

And that royal touch still carries weight today: Joseph Perrier is served in first class on select airlines, making it the kind of Champagne that quite literally travels in style.

But what’s really cool is how they balance tradition and innovation. They even  still riddle some bottles by hand, as seen above. 

The real magic starts when you step underground. Joseph Perrier’s cellars aren’t just old — they’re ancient Roman chalk tunnels carved into the hillside, stretching over 3 miles under the city. Cool, softly lit, and lined with aging bottles, these cellars feel like stepping into a secret Champagne sanctuary. And it’s not just for show. These chalky caves naturally regulate temperature and humidity, helping Champagne age gracefully, like nature’s own wine fridge. 

Their style leans toward freshness and finesse rather than heavy toastiness. They mostly use Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with just a touch of Meunier for that round, fruity charm. 

They own about 21 hectares of vineyards, mostly in prime spots like Cumières, Damery, and Hautvillers (yep, that Hautvillers also to Dom Pérignon). But they also partner with trusted growers to round out their blends and maintain their signature style.

Unlike some Champagne houses that feel flashy and go all out, Joseph Perrier still feels intimate. When you visit, you might meet a family member or two. They genuinely want to share their story, not just sell you a bottle.

So this World Champagne Day, go ahead and pop something special, even if it’s just to celebrate finding matching socks (okay maybe not this reason, but it’s still a big feat!), and if you want something that feels a little off-the-beaten-path but still absolutely top-tier, we highly recommend giving Joseph Perrier a try.

Cheers to that!