Uncorked: Charles Perrin

The family Perrin is an illustrious name in the Southern Rhône. From the historic Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape to their partnership project with Brad Pitt and Angelia Jolie at Miraval, the Perrin family have proved that they can marry quality with commercial success. Charles Perrin is the co-owner of the Southern Rhône estate and was instrumental in the Miraval project. Chatting to dbHK, the dynamic vintner reveals his biggest vice, why French actor Gérard Depardieu would be his dream dinner party guest, and how a bottle of Beaucastel 1960 left an indelible mark on him.

What vintage are you? 

1979. Even though this wasn’t an amazing vintage, my father bottled a lot of large formats that year!

What bottle sparked your love of wine?

To celebrate my birth, my father opened a Beaucastel 1960. He gave me a taste. Although I don’t remember, it must have left an impression.

What would you be as a wine? 

An unpretentious wine that you enjoy with friends.

Where are you happiest?

With my family. There are nine of us working together and even after a day at work, we like to share a bottle of wine together.

What’s your greatest vice?

To order a magnum at a restaurant just for my wife and myself.

Best advice you ever got?

Not to make decisions in your personal interest but in the interest of future generations.

Your cellar’s underwater, which bottle would you dive in and save?

The first bottle I bought for my daughters’ vintage: a Magnum of Côte Rôtie 2010 by Jamet.

What’s the best and worst thing about the wine business? 

We are farmers but our job allows us to meet extraordinary people from around the world. [Worst part is] From time to time, people buy wine like they buy a soda.

What’s on your wine bucket list?

A bottle from each member of PFV (Premium Familiae Vini), association of the oldest family-owned wineries in the world :

• Marchesi Antinori, Toscane
• Château Mouton Rothschild, Bordeaux
• Maison Joseph Drouhin, Bourgogne
• Weingut Egon Müller Scharzhof, Mosel
• Hugel &Fils, Alsace
• Champagne Pol Roger
• Famille Perrin, Château de Beaucastel, Rhône
• Symington Family Estates, Porto
• Tenuta San Guido, Toscane
• Bodegas Torres, Catalogne
• Bodegas Vega Sicilia, Ribera del Duero
• Domaine Clarence Dillon (Château Haut-Brion), Bordeaux

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

People who enjoy the moment without worrying about the consequences. Gérard Depardieu for example!

Personal satisfaction (Parker points – out of 100)?

Personally not a very high score, but 100 points for the family!

Which wine would you like served at your funeral?

An Hommage à Jacques Perrin 2009. A great vintage for Mourvèdre !