Piper-Heidsieck2018

Piper-Heidsieck’s roots trace back to Florens-Louis Heidsieck, who created the original company of Heidsieck & Co. Christian Heidsieck joined the venture alongside Guillaume Piper and once Florens-Louis died in 1828, the duo decided to continue the adventure side by side, founding Champagne Piper-Heidsieck.rrIn 2011 both Charles Heidsieck and Piper-Heidsieck were bought by EPI Group headed by Christopher Descours, he has pumped significant finance into the companies allowing them to grow their vineyard holdings, grape purchasing and production. The brands are now growing their sales fast after many decades of decline. Today, production occurs alongside sister company Charles Heidsieck in an ultra-modern functional wine-making facility on the southern outskirts of Reims. Their characteristics differ quite considerably, with Piper opting for a fruitier and lighter style of base wines.rrPiper-Heidsieck Vintage is not a predefined recipe, each vintage and each blend is unique.The blends are selected fromupwards of 18different Premier and Grand Crus. Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims give the structure and the Chardonnay from la Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims expresses the elegance and charm of the vintage. rrVinification: After a gentle pressing, the first fermentation took place in stainless-steel tanks. Once complete, the wines were racked and underwent full malolactic fermentation. After blending, the wine was bottled with selected yeasts added.rrWeather in 2018: Following a mild and very wet winter, spring temperatures were well above seasonal norms, allowing the vines to develop. Then, the warm, dry summer allowed the grapes to ripen quickly with extraordinary quality and quantity. The 2018 harvest came early, producing wines of remarkable fruitiness and elegance.rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: Grand Cru, Premier Cru | Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, Aube and Vallée de la Marne.rGrape Varieties: 50% Chardonnay, 47% Pinot Noir & 3% MeunierrLees Ageing: 4 yearsrDisgorged: Jan 2023rDosage: 7 g/lrCork: Mytik Diam TechnologicalrDrink: Now to 2035rrTasting Note: The 2018 vintage is an intense, luminous and expressive one. The nose delivers notes of nectarine, red fruit, mocha and fresh almond, with a hint of smoky notes. The palate unveils an explosion of fruit with raspberry, pineapple and paprika aromas.