Marilyn Monroe once said, “I go to bed with a few drops of Chanel N° 5, and I wake up each morning to a glass of Piper-Heidsieck; it warms me up.”
As the nights are increasingly getting colder here in the Northeast, I can’t help but wonder if Marilyn was onto something. These brisk nights signal that 2021 is winding down, and although it’s been another year of uncertainty, it also means we get to reflect on the positive and celebrate friends & family throughout the holiday season. I have so much to be thankful for as I jump into my late thirties, and I’m incredibly excited to be acknowledging these milestones with Piper!
There’s something special about being handed a glass of champagne when you step into a party or gathering. It’s an immediate feeling of celebration, conviviality, and comfort. The way the bubbles dance on your palate will awaken your senses and have you lusting for your next sip. This is precisely what Florens-Louis Heidsieck wanted when he set out to create a “wine that smiles” in 1777.
Fit for a Queen (quite literally), the first ambassador of Florens-Louis’ wine was Marie Antoinette in 1785. The company was called “Heidsieck & Cie” as Henri-Guillaume Piper wouldn’t join in until the early 1800s. Since then, this illustrious champagne has been in the hands of princes, emperors, and celebrities alike. In fact, since 1993, Piper-Heidsieck has been the official supplier of some of the most notable film festivals in the world, including Cannes and Sun Dance, and the Academy Awards.
Piper-Heidsieck works with independent local winegrowers to source grapes from mostly the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Bar. Many of these relationships have lasted several generations as there is mutual respect and one common goal: to create excellent champagne. Upon the first sip of the signature Cuvée Brut, you immediately fall in love with those warm, toasty notes of brioche and hazelnut. There’s a freshness brought by citrus fruits, green apple, and pear, and the mousse is frothy and delicate. Chief Winemaker, Emilien Boutillat, strives to produce a similar “house style” cuvée year after year using 25% reserve wines. Pair this champagne with shellfish, caviar, and white meats.
In 2005 Piper-Heidsieck launched a rosé cuvée called “Rosé Sauvage,” mainly using red grape varieties. This is a highly gastronomic wine with red grapes from Aube and Chardonnay from the Montagne de Reims. If you love seductive notes of strawberry, raspberry, blood orange, and saffron, this cuvée is for you. Its structure begs for rich cheeses, creamy lobster, duck, and even fried chicken.
Although I’m a firm believer that you don’t need a celebration to drink champagne, I can’t deny that popping a champagne cork always does make those celebrations feel extra special. As I step into my 37th year, I’m reminded of those pivotal female figures like Marilyn and Marie Antoinette, the courage they had, and the boundaries they broke. They were graceful yet bold, just like the champagne in their glasses.
*This article was written in partnership with Piper-Heidsieck. All opinions are my own.