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.

In 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.

In autumn 2021, Piper-Heidsieck launched their new series of Champagne "Hors-Série" and the first release was Vintage 1971. November 2022 sees the release of the next Hors-Série, which is Vintage 1982. Hors-Série 1982 has been disgorged in the spring of 2022 after 39 years of storage on lees by current cellar master Emilien Boutillat.

Émilien Boutillat offers a reflection on time with Brut Sauvage 1982 and Hors-Série 1982, presented in the Diptyque 1982 gift box, numbered, and released in a limited edition of 500 boxes.

The fruit of the same vintage, the same blend and dosage, Brut Sauvage 1982 and Hors-Série 1982 each boast a distinctive character, a result of their different ageing processes.

Tasting the two together offers a truly unique experience as these two cuvées showcase a new perspective on time, revealing different phenomenal sensations and precise generous aromas on the nose and the palate.

Weather in 1982: The results of the 1982 harvest are considered amongst the most exceptional ever witnessed in the history of Champagne. The grapes grew under steady weather conditions. The results were irreproachable and the harvest abundant! The grapes, all varieties included, were in excellent condition and stood out for their nesse, equilibrium and grandeur, hallmarks of a great year in Champagne.

Technical Information Hors-Serie 1982:
Vineyards: 12 crus | Chardonnay - Côte des Blancs | Pinot-Noir - Mostly Verzy in the Montagne de Reims
Grape Varieties: 60% Pinot Noir & 40% Chardonnay
Lees ageing: 39 years
Disgorged: January 2022
Bottling: 26 through 30 July 1983
Dosage: 4 g/l
Production: 2,500 bottles

Technical Information Brut Sauvage 1982:
Vineyards: 12 crus | Chardonnay - Côte des Blancs | Pinot-Noir - Verzy, Verzenay, Tauxières and Ambonnay in the Montagne de Reims
Grape Varieties: 60% Pinot Noir & 40% Chardonnay
Lees ageing: 9 years
Disgorged: January 1992
Dosage: 4 g/l

Hors-Serie 1982 Tasting Note: Hors-Série 1982 being recently disgorged present quite young, luscious notes of mirabelle plums, kumquats, dried pineapple, and fresh quince, with a touch of ginger and earl grey tea. Smoky accents of coffee beans and toast balance out the wine’s minerality.

Brut Sauvage 1982 Tasting Note: Brut Sauvage 1982 presents quite differently since this is original disgorgement. There is bundles of dried & candied fruits, buttery pastry notes of brioche and frangipane accompanied by a spiced touch of vanilla and nutmeg pave the way to warm harmonies of honey, slightly pepper to finish. Amazing for a forty year champagne!

The Piper-Heidsieck Hors Serie 1982 is also available as a singular bottle here