Cuvée Sublime Demi-Sec (Gift Box), Piper-Heidsieck, Champagne, France, NV

With a long and varied history dating back to its beginnings in 1785 when it was created by Florens-Louis Heidsieck, Piper-Heidsieck is one of Champagne’s most well-known yet underestimated houses. From being a favourite of Marilyn Monroe (who claimed she liked a glass to wake up in the morning) to being the first ever bottle of Champagne to feature in a movie (the 1933 Laurel and Hardy film ‘Sons of the Desert’), it has long links to the world of cinema. Presided over by a roll call of Champagne’s most admired winemakers, the quality of the wines never fails to shine at international competitions – at the 2019 International Wine and Spirit Competition the 2012 Vintage was awarded the Vintage Champagne Trophy, while the 2019 International Wine Challenge saw the Non-Vintage Classic Blend Trophy awarded to the Essentiel Cuvée Réservée. The House’s winemakers have won Sparkling Winemaker of the Year at the IWC more than any other house. Chef de Cave Émilien Boutillat is the current custodian, his philosophy is simple: preserving the quality, elegance and generosity of style that has always characterised the Piper-Heidsieck wines. The grapes from each separate 'cru' were vinified separately to preserve their unique characters and allow for maximum blending options. The grapes were very gently pressed to yield a very clear juice and then the first fermentation took place in stainless-steel tanks. Once complete, the wines were racked and underwent full malolactic fermentation. At this point the wines were blended with at least 25% reserve wines, and then bottled with selected yeasts added to begin the second fermentation. The wine was kept on its lees for a minimum of three years before disgorgement, when a dosage of 35g/l was added. The Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay grapes for the 'Cuvée Sublime' blend are sourced from over 50 carefully selected and sustainably farmed 'crus' in the Champagne sub-regions of Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, Aube and Vallée de la Marne.