Champagne Piper-Heidseick
The story of Piper-Heidsieck starts in 1785, not with grapes and fermentation, but with love. A young German draper named Florens-Louis Heidsieck fell head over heels for a woman from Champagne. Following his heart (and perhaps her), he relocated to Reims, France, and soon found himself captivated by the region's sparkling wines. In that same year, he founded Heidsieck & Co., laying the groundwork for the Champagne house we know today.
Undeterred by his inexperience, he embarked on a bold venture – selling his first barrels of champagne directly to Queen Marie Antoinette. With Marie Antoinette's patronage, Piper-Heidsieck champagnes graced the tables of French royalty and aristocracy. The brand became synonymous with luxury and extravagance, earning the nickname "Le champagne des Rois, le Roi des champagnes" (The Champagne of Kings, the King of Champagnes). In fact, legend has it that Napoleon, en route to conquer Russia, stockpiled 4,000 bottles of Piper-Heidsieck – a testament to the Champagne's reputation for fueling both celebration and conquest.
After Florens-Louis's passing in 1828, the baton was passed to his nephew Christian Heidsieck and his cousin Henri-Guillaume Piper. Their partnership proved fruitful, with Henri's marketing prowess complementing Christian's winemaking skills. In 1838, following a rather intriguing family twist (Henri married Christian's widow!), the house officially adopted the now-iconic "Piper-Heidsieck" name.
In 1885, it became the first Champagne house to use electric lights in its cellars, symbolizing its forward-thinking approach. Meanwhile, its dedication to quality earned it numerous accolades, including a Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria of England. The House persevered through tumultuous times. The French Revolution forced the family into exile, but they eventually returned, rebuilding their empire brick by sparkling brick. Even World Wars couldn't dim Piper-Heidsieck's effervescence. During WWI, the cellars doubled as a hospital, and during WWII, the House became a haven for the French Resistance.
The 20th century saw Piper-Heidsieck continue its ascent to champagne royalty. 1928 marked a watershed moment for Piper-Heidsieck with the creation of its flagship cuvée, Rare. This exceptional Champagne, sourced from Grand Cru vineyards and aged for years, quickly gained cult status among connoisseurs and celebrities alike. Marilyn Monroe famously declared it her "morning beverage," and the house became a favorite among celebrities and royalty alike. Marilyn Monroe's iconic bathtub photo shoot with bottles of Rare cemented its place in pop culture history. In 1985, to celebrate its 100th anniversary, Piper-Heidsieck commissioned Carl Fabergé, the renowned jeweler, to create a bottle encrusted with diamonds, white gold, and lapis lazuli. This extravagant gesture solidified the house's reputation for luxury and opulence.
Filmmaking support continued in 1989 as Piper-Heidsieck announced their partnership, making it the first official champagne partner of the festival. This collaboration aligns with the brand's history of being associated with luxury, glamour, and celebration, perfectly mirroring the spirit of Cannes.
We had the immense pleasure of touring the Épernay facility, where the three brands (Piper-Heidsieck, Charles Heidsieck and Rare), spearheaded by Émilien Boutillat, their cellar master. Sidenote - I first met Émilien at the launch of Tyson Stelzer’s online champagne guide in April 2023 in Reims and was fortunate to continue the conversation during this visit. We tasted the Piper-Heidsieck range, we discussed his journey as the youngest chef de cave: At the age of 30 in October 2018, Émilien Boutillat, a young winemaker with a passion for innovation, took the helm of Piper-Heidsieck, the most awarded Champagne House of the century. Succeeding the renowned Régis Camus, who continues his legacy with the "Rare" project, Boutillat brought a fresh perspective while honoring tradition. His dedication to excellence and bold approach earned him the prestigious title of IWC Sparkling Winemaker of the Year 2021, solidifying Piper-Heidsieck's position as a leader in the industry. Born and raised in a small town in Champagne, he grew up amongst the vines and winemaking with his father. His passion for it grew at an early age. Following his studies he wanted experience harvests both in northern and southern hemispheres outside of his French experience that he had gained following his agronomy studies specializing in viticulture. He had grander aspirations to winemaking through global exposure in California New Zealand, Chile and South Africa. The family vineyard started by his father and today run by his brother-in-law is a contracted grower for Piper-Heidsieck.
We tasted :
Cuvée Brut
Rosé Sauvage
Essentiel 2019
Essentiel Blanc de Blancs 2017
Essentiel Blanc de Noirs 2020
Millésime 2014
After the tasting we toured the winemaking facilities which are very impressive on a grand scale. The cellars were built in 1980 to accommodate the three brands under one roof. The cellars hold bottles of Rare champagne dating back to 1976. The vin de réserve is a perpetual reserve from 1996. The large stainless steel containers hold 4,000 hectares of grapes each resulting in 500,000 bottles per container.
Today, Piper-Heidsieck remains a major player in the Champagne world. Owned by Vranken-Pommery Monopole, the house continues to produce a range of acclaimed cuvées, from the vibrant Brut to Essential collection to the rich and complex Rare vintage Champagne. With its blend of tradition and innovation, Piper-Heidsieck is sure to keep popping corks and celebrating life's special moments for years to come. But Piper-Heidsieck is much more than just Champagne. It's a brand that embodies a certain joie de vivre, a spirit of audacity and celebration. From its collaborations with contemporary artists to its glamorous events, Piper-Heidsieck continues to push boundaries and inspire new generations to savor the exquisite pleasures of life.
As Piper-Heidsieck embarks on its next chapter, one thing remains constant: its dedication to crafting exceptional Champagne that transcends time and trends. So, raise a glass to this storied house, and let the vibrant bubbles tell tales of heritage, innovation, and the unyielding pursuit of excellence. With every sip, we celebrate not just Champagne, but the enduring legacy of Piper-Heidsieck itself.
A big thank you to Emilien, Marine and Anna for such a memorable visit at Piper-Heidsieck.
