Piper-Heidsieck, Essentiel Extra Brut

Founded over 240 years ago by Florens-Louis Heidsieck, Piper-Heidsieck’s historical success has been shaped by a forward-thinking, pioneering spirit which continues today. The quality of Piper-Heidsieck wines has never been finer, leading them to be the most-awarded Champagne House of the last century and earn the title of ‘Supreme World Champion’ at the 2025 Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships. Their chief winemaker, Émilien Boutillat, is one of the youngest in Champagne’s history and has been driving standards even higher at Piper-Heidsieck since 2018. Émilien’s exceptional talents led him to be named ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ by the IWC in both 2023 and 2021.

The House has a longstanding relationship with the world of arts and cinema, being the first Champagne House to appear on film, in Laurel and Hardy’s 1933 ‘Sons of the Desert’, and a firm favourite of Old Hollywood’s elite (Fred Astaire, Ava Gardner, Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe being enthusiastic fans). Piper-Heidsieck have since been served at the Academy Awards, enjoyed a long-term partnership with the Cannes Film Festival and are the current official Champagne partner of the Olivier Awards.

In 2022, Piper-Heidsieck was one of the first Champagne Houses to achieve B Corp Certification, illustrating an ongoing commitment to sustainability and improving both their social and environmental impact on the planet. In a similar vein, they also joined the International Wineries for Climate Action and invested in Vitibot, an innovative robotics business producing electric vineyard machinery that limits soil compaction and facilitates herbicide-free farming.

Piper-Heidsieck’s ‘Cuvée Brut’ is their house signature, made from a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier sourced from over 100 ‘crus’. The blend contains at least 25% reserve wines and is aged for a minimum of two years on its lees in Piper-Heidsieck’s cellars deep beneath Reims. It is elegant and balanced, punching well above its weight and representing remarkable quality and class. The Rosé is a gastronomic champagne made with 5% red wine from Les Riceys in the southern Côte des Bar. This addition, alongside 15% reserve wine, gives the final blend impressive structure and intensity without sacrificing refinement. The ‘Cuvée Sublime’ is one of Champagne’s best-loved Demi-Secs. With a luscious dosage of 33 grams per litre and a bright bite of acidity, it shows exquisite balance and generosity, making an elegant partner for desserts or cheeses.

Piper-Heidsieck’s Vintage 2018 comprises a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 47% Pinot Noir, and 3% Pinot Menier sourced primarily from 1er and Grand Cru vineyards, aged for a minimum of four years on its lees. Defined by outstanding freshness, it is expressive and fruit-driven, with notes of nectarine and plums lifted by exotic notes of pineapple, paprika and raspberry.

Piper-Heidsieck’s ‘Essentiel’ range is made in limited quantities and reserved exclusively for independent merchants and the on-trade in the UK. The range includes an Extra Brut, Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut and Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, crafted from grapes specifically selected from around 50 ‘crus’ across Champagne. A combination of 30% reserve wine, low dosage (four to six grammes per litre) and extended lees ageing (at least three years) results in elegant wines with notable ageing potential.

In addition to their award-winning Champagnes, Piper-Heidsieck also produce a small selection of Côteaux Champenois as part of their limited release ‘Hors-Serie’ collection. The 2022 ‘Hors-Serie’ Côteaux Champenois blends Pinot Noir from two Grand Crus in Aÿ and Ambonnay. It is elegant and distinctive with notes of pear, fresh almond, mandarin citrus and acacia honey. The ‘Hors-Série’ White Pinot Noir NZ is a collaboration between Piper-Heidsieck’s winemaker Émilien Boutillat and renowned Marlborough pioneer Kevin Judd. Though born and raised in Champagne, Émilien spent some of his career working in New Zealand and relished the opportunity to explore the country’s vineyards again. He and Kevin married the winemaking traditions of Côteaux Champenois with prime Marlborough Pinot Noir to create a wine that is truly one of a kind.