Perrier-Jouët Unveils Innovative Biodiversity Project Cohabitaire In Champagne With Formafantasma

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Following the inauguration, a lunch, orchestrated by three Michelin star chefs Pierre Gagnaire — the Ambassador and friend of the House  — and Michelin one star chef Manon Fleury was held at the Maison’s Epernay headquarters, where guests were treated to Q&As moderated by Sellers with Perrier-Jouët Cellar Master Séverine Frerson — the eighth cellar master in the Maison’s history since 1811, as well as Formafantasma, and the eco-acoustic composer David Monacchi.

Monacchi revealed the concept and the eco-acoustic composition he designed for Maison Perrier-Jouët: Oecanthus,
a soundscape journey celebrating today’s biodiversity in Perrier-Jouët’s regenerative viticulture plots. The composition was created from onsite recordings carried out over summer 2024 in Perrier-Jouët vineyards.Oecanthus pellucens is a locust which makes a melodious sound gesture through the movement of his extremely light and fragile wings acting as amplification membranes: an acoustic miracle of stridulation. This insect is represented on the two sound sculptures designed by Formafantasma which bring to life two Oecanthus pellucens singing in a major second interval, as it may happen in nature when two males sing different tones from different territories, in order to mark their territory or to attract females.

The composition is structured in five interconnected sections, and is also a journey from daytime
to nighttime: beginning with insects of Tettigoniidae and Gryllidae families in direct sunlight in daytime, and finishing with the nocturnal Oecanthus pellucens. Oecanthus by David Monacchi illustrates the importance of the species interconnections for restoring the integrity of biodiversity. The eco-acoustic composer will continue his work for the next three years in order to highlight the evolution of the biodiversity in the Ilot de Biodiversité and in the regenerative viticulture plots.

The two sound sculptures designed by Formafantasma and the composition created by David Monacchi will be shared during the major international art fairs, with the Banquet of Nature by Perrier-Jouët: in Tokyo, Miami, Hong Kong and Milan. It is designed to evolve over the long term, gathering a broad spectrum of people from across the world: a hub for exchanges with designers, researchers and thinkers, students, regional stakeholders (institutional, cultural and associational), and – of course – the general public. This ambitious project is the result of a process of reflection and creation that will be completed in 2025.

In keeping with the theme of Cohabitare, Formafantasma has also created two limited editions for two cuvées of the House: one for Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque 2016 and the other for Perrier-Jouët Blanc de Blancs. The designers have reinterpreted the interdependent relationships between species, illustrated by a composition with some of the flora and fauna identified in the Perrier-Jouët vineyard.

A DISCUSSION WITH PERRIER-JOUËT CELLAR MASTER SÉVERINE FRERSON

Photo Credit: Perrier-Jouët

How are you making biodiverse strides within the Champagne region, and how did you come to collaborate with FormaFantasma? 

Biodiversity is at the heart of Perrier-Jouët. Throughout Perrier-Jouët’s history, we’ve lived by three key pillars: art, nature, and wine. We are constantly experimenting. We practice regenerative viticulture and agroforestry, and we create spaces for wildlife. We have done this to reduce the impact of humans on the environment and to preserve the future of Champagne. 

Is Cohabitaire your way of looking to the future? 

Yes! We have a vision, and we want to prepare our vineyard for the future with climate change affecting the environment. We want to preserve and to prepare Champagne for the future. I have had many discussions with the CVC in Champagne to discuss regenerative viticulture; it’s something we talk about often when considering the future. 

Did you personally collaborate with the designers when they were conceiving the project? 

At the beginning of the project, I had many conversations with FormaFantasma to explain the style, history, wine, and the importance of biodiversity, as well as the philosophy behind Perrier-Jouët’s wines.

And what do you hope will come from this in the future? 

In the future, I hope to have 100% of Perrier-Jouët’s vineyards under regenerative viticulture. It is crucial to preserve the soil and ensure our vineyards’ future. Our goal is to reach this by 2030, but I hope we can achieve it sooner.

You’re only the eighth cellar master in Perrier-Jouët’s history. What do you hope your legacy will be?

I would like to simply continue the style that Perrier-Jouët has become known for. It’s very important for me to reinforce the house’s signature Chardonnay style. I also want to maintain malolactic fermentation as a key process, because it’s very natural and keeps the freshness.

And is there anything else that you’re doing or initiatives that you’re working on in the sustainability forum that have not been as released or ideas that you’re toying around with? 

We aim for zero waste in our champagne production. For example, during the harvest, we press the grape varieties, but have leftover skin, which we then sell to cosmetic brands like Caudalie to create creams. Minimizing waste is very important to me and is a great byproduct of vinification.