Piper-Heidsieck Brut NV

The Piper-Heidsieck champagne style is very distinct and driven by pinot noir, marrying the structure of the pinot noir, with the fruits of the meunier, the elegance of the chardonnay, and the timeless flavours of the reserve wines. 

Piper-Heidsieck is one of the few ‘big’ champagne brands whose Cuvée Brut has remained at or under the $50 mark over the last few years, in part due to the house introducing a new cuvée, the Essentiel Brut Champagne that competes in the $70 – $80 range.   

Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut Tasting Notes 

Bubble & Flute Review 

In a word… surprising. 

In a few sentences… This is a champagne that is often under-estimated. I find the Cuvée Brut complex and interesting and it punches well above its weight for its price point. Affectionately dubbed my “Marilyn Monroe champagne”… Marilyn Monroe was famously quoted as saying…“Every night I go to bed with Chanel No. 5 and I wake up with a glass of Piper-Heidsieck, it warms my body up.” 

Moment or mood… movie night! Piper-Heidsieck has a long history with the silver screen, making its cinema debut in 1933, in a Laurel and Hardy movie. As well we being the (un)official champagne of Marilyn Monroe, Piper-Heidsieck has been the champagne of choice at The Cannes Film Festival since 1992, the Oscars (1992, 1998, and since 2015), and even the AACTAs here in Australia. If it’s good enough for an Oscars’ party, then it’s good enough for me!

Where to buy it… Available in all good wine retailers. Expect to pay about $50. 

*Bubble & Flute Champagne Style – Rich & Robust.

Wine Expert Reviews

Tyson Stelzer… ‘Pinot takes the lead, defining the classic red apple profile that matches Piper’s distinctive red label, backed with pear and the tang of grapefruit. The honeyed influence of lees age is enhanced with dosage, though there is less secondary development in this release, the base vintage having progressed four vintages over the past two years (four years on lees then, and three here). It finishes long and spicy, with just the right amount of acidity and crunch on the end. The dry grip and structure inherent to the warm 2015 season marks this release with a grippy apple-skin texture..’ 90 Points

Wine Enthusiast, Roger Voss… “The quality of this non vintage wine from Piper-Heidsieck is a sign of the increasing quality of the range as a whole. It’s a wine that hovers comfortably between freshness and maturity, between a soft dosage and crisp fresh apples. This bottling is ready to drink..” 91 Points 

Official Tasting Notes from Piper-Heidsieck 

Eye…This champagne teases and allures us with its festive, light-drenched, pale gold shimmer and joyful display of neat, lively bubbles.

Nose… Notes of almond and fresh hazelnut accompany the precise ascent of its bubbles. It is lively, subtle and light, leaving a deliciously incisive sensation of smoothness, marked by the pureness of fresh pear and apple and a delicate hint of citrus fruits.

Palate… A harmonious mixture of bright, crunchy pomelo, blonde grapes and juicy white fruits creates the delightfully surprising sensation of lightness embraced by the structure and depth from the Pinot Noir; all beautifully balanced.

Food pairings… Not the official match from the house but a movie night at home calls for a side of pizza and popcorn with this champagne. I have tested these pairings and they are delish!

The technical details 

55% Pinot Noir

30% Pinot Meunier

15% Chardonnay

Blended from 100 villages

Reserve wines – 10-20%
Dosage – 9-10 g/l

Aged – for 3 years

Total Annual Production – the house produces 4 million bottles a year

Bubble & Flute Champagne Style* – Rich & Robust 

Have you tried the Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut? Let me know what you think and next time you’re drinking it, post a pic and tag @bubbleandflute #happychamper.