Vintage (Gift Box), Piper-Heidsieck, Champagne, France, 2008

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 generous and crystalline Vintage offers an outstanding take on the traditional balance between subtly ripened Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs, from 20 crus. Unique in character, this wine is refined by extended ageing.

Region: Champagne

Closure: Natural Cork