The Piper Heidsieck Champagne Story
The Heidsieck name is very famous in Champagne, with several brands bearing a version of the name. The history dates back to 1785, when Florens-Louis Heidsieck, a German textile entrepreneur created the Champagne house. German businessmen crop up in Champagne a lot! With his death came his nephew Christian Heidsieck, who unfortunately then died unexpectedly leaving it to his widow. Widows are also instrumental in the story and development of the Champagne region - Veuve Clicquot and Pommery are two of the finest examples.
His other nephews, having gained experience in the business, carved out their own ventures, establishing Heidsieck Monopole and Charles Heidsieck.
His widow remarried Henri-Guillaume Piper in 1838, and thus the Piper-Heidsieck name was born. With this union, it soon became the official supplier to royal courts from the Habsburgs to China. Fast forward to the 1930s, where Piper Heidsieck was sold in vast quantities in secretive speakeasies, accounting for half of all Champagne sold in the US! It received endorsement from Marilyn Monroe and had a cameo in a Laurel and Hardy film. In 1942, Jean de Suarez d'Aulan and Yolande Kunkelmann owned the house. Jean died during the war, and his wife, a widower once again, took over during a pivotal time in world history. Later, on the Gemini IV mission, it was the Champagne the astronauts toasted with. Quite the legacy.
In more modern times, Piper Heidsieck lays claim to the invention of the gyropalettes which automate the riddling process and held a long stint as the official Champagne for Cannes film festival. In 1985, they hosted a bicenteneray banquet at Versailles. In 2018, they were joined by chief winemaker Emilien Boutillat, the youngest at the time, who is pushing the house ever forwards today.
Piper-Heidsieck is primarily a négociant house, which means they don't own much vineyard land but buy grapes in from growers with whom they have long established relationships and specifications in the quality of the grapes. But, with its bold and unmissable red label, it is a highly popular Champagne and rightly so.
The company was acquired by the multi-national group Remy Cointreau in 1990, bringing it into the same stable, as its relation Charles Heidsieck. The bold red label came into existence in 1997, when the brand owners were looking for a strong point of difference and an eye-catching presentation to help them compete more strongly in a very competitive market. It was sold to a French luxury goods company, EPI in 2011.
What Styles Of Wine Does Piper Heidsieck Make?
The Piper Heidsieck house style is bold, uncompromising, and rich, with blends dominated by Pinot Noir.
Piper Heidsieck Brut NV – with its distinctive red label, this is a full flavoured, bold Champagne, with lots of structure, and toasty richness. It’s made from over 50% Pinot Noir, with 30% Pinot Meunier, and only 15% of the softer, more delicate Chardonnay in the blend.
Piper Heidsieck Rose Sauvage NV – a striking Champagne, with a vibrant pink colour, once again produced from a blend dominated by Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, with 15% Chardonnay and the addition of red Champagne wine for colour and body – bolder, and fuller than many Roses, it has lively red fruit character, and structured elegance and charm.
Piper Heidsieck Cuvee Sublime NV – a richer, fuller, demi-sec style, with an intriguing, soft salmon pink tinge to the colour; once again Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier dominate, bringing to the wine a rich, mocha and dark chocolate edge, with ripe berry fruits, and caramelised hazelnuts – rich and intense.
Piper Heidsieck Cuvee Brut Divin NV – a truly stylish Champagne, made exclusively from the Chardonnay grape, which plays a far smaller role in the majority of the Piper Heidsieck blends. With aromas and flavours of citrus, lime blossom and baked apples, this is a more delicate, almost ethereal style, with a feminine edge, and lightness of touch.
Piper Heidsieck Brut Vintage – produced only in exceptional years, and once again based on the full flavoured house style of 55% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Meunier, and just 15% Chardonnay – a rich, stylish Champagne with depth, structure and body, toasted hazelnuts, rich creamy orchard fruits and a strong, nervy character, which promises to age well.
Piper Heidsieck Cuvee Rare – a unique and prestige blend, combining 65% Chardonnay with 35% Pinot Noir; this style is more delicate and restrained than many in the Piper portfolio, largely due to the higher percentage of the elegant Chardonnay. A delightful treat, with a gentle mousse, refined, creamy aromas, and a restrained, yet beautifully poised flavour of red berry fruits and cream, which linger.