Piper Heidsieck
Summary
Piper-Heidsieck is a prominent Champagne négociant based in Reims, France, sourcing grapes from across the region's diverse terroirs to produce a range of Pinot Noir-dominant blends alongside their Chardonnay-focused prestige cuvée Rare. The house balances traditional methods with modern precision through extended lees aging and stainless steel fermentation, maintaining their historic identity while evolving under the Descours family ownership with a renewed focus on quality and sustainability.
Heritage & Leadership
Piper-Heidsieck traces its origins to 1785 when Florens-Louis Heidsieck established Heidsieck & Co in Reims with the ambition of creating a "cuvée worthy of a queen." His efforts were rewarded when he presented his wines to Queen Marie Antoinette, becoming an official supplier to the royal court. Following Florens-Louis's death, his nephew Christian Heidsieck partnered with Henri-Guillaume Piper, and the Piper-Heidsieck name was formally established in 1837.
The house changed hands several times throughout its history, including ownership by the Kunkelmann family and later the Rémy Cointreau group. In 2011, the EPI Group, owned by the Descours family, acquired Piper-Heidsieck, bringing new investment and focus to the historic Champagne house. Under this ownership, Piper-Heidsieck has maintained its position as one of Champagne's larger houses while emphasizing quality production.
The winemaking leadership transitioned in 2018 when Émilien Boutillat was appointed Chef de Cave, succeeding Régis Camus who had directed the house's winemaking for over twenty years. Boutillat, who previously worked at Cattier and Armand de Brignac, brought experience from both boutique and larger Champagne operations to his role at Piper-Heidsieck.
Vineyards & Wines
Unlike some Champagne houses that own extensive vineyard holdings, Piper-Heidsieck operates primarily as a négociant, sourcing grapes from growers throughout the Champagne region. This approach allows the house to select from diverse terroirs across the appellation, drawing from grand cru, premier cru, and other classified vineyards to maintain its house style.
The house works with growers in the Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, Vallée de la Marne, and Aube regions, utilizing the three primary Champagne varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. The proportions vary by cuvée, with their signature Brut non-vintage typically featuring a Pinot Noir-dominant blend that provides structure and body.
Piper-Heidsieck's range includes their Cuvée Brut, which serves as the foundation of their portfolio, alongside Rosé Sauvage, vintage-dated Champagnes from exceptional years, and their prestige cuvée Rare, which is only produced in outstanding vintages. The Rare cuvée, first released from the 1976 vintage, represents the pinnacle of the house's production and is typically Chardonnay-dominant, contrasting with the house's usual Pinot Noir focus.
Philosophy & Practice
Piper-Heidsieck's winemaking philosophy centers on creating consistent, precisely crafted Champagnes that balance freshness with depth. The production process begins with gentle pressing of the grapes, followed by fermentation primarily in stainless steel tanks to preserve fruit purity and aromatic expression.
The house generally allows malolactic fermentation to proceed, contributing to a rounder mouthfeel in their wines. For non-vintage cuvées, Piper-Heidsieck incorporates 10-20% reserve wines to ensure consistency and complexity. Their Champagnes typically age on lees beyond the minimum requirements—non-vintage wines for 24-36 months and vintage offerings for 4-7 years—developing additional complexity while maintaining freshness.
Under Chef de Cave Émilien Boutillat, Piper-Heidsieck has strengthened its commitment to sustainable practices. The house has implemented measures to reduce its carbon footprint and water usage in the winery, while also working with growers who follow sustainable viticulture practices. This approach reflects a balance between honoring traditional Champagne production methods and adapting to contemporary environmental considerations, ensuring Piper-Heidsieck's continued relevance in the evolving world of fine wine.