Émilien Boutillat: one of the most promising young talents in Champagne
Piper-Heidsieck announced yesterday the appointment of Émilien Boutillat as their new Cellar Master of Piper-Heidsieck champagnes. The son of a Champagne grower, Boutillat trained as an oenologist and agricultural engineer and joins Piper-Heidsieck from Armand de Brignac, where he has been Cellar Master since 2014.
At just thirty years old, Boutillat is one of the most promising young talents in Champagne. Piper-Heidsieck praise his “technical expertise, proven achievements in terms of high-end cuvées, understanding of sustainable viticulture, obvious close ties with his generation, international experience, [and] knowledge of both the terroir of Champagne and the world of wines.”
As well as maintaining the inimitable Piper-Heidsieck style, Boutillat will aim to implement increasingly stringent environmentally-friendly vineyard practices and encourage winemaking partners to commit more permanently to sustainable viticulture. Champagne veteran Régis Camus will continue as Cellar Master for Rare Champagne, the prestige brand of Piper-Heidsieck.
Benoit Collard, Executive Vice-President Piper-Heidsieck commented : “A fervent admirer of Régis Camus’ oenological approach, and in line with a prestigious series of Cellar Masters, [Boutillat] will be the guardian of the Piper-Heidsieck style and expertise.”
Previous Cellar Master Séverine Frerson – who only recently assumed the role in May 2018 – has joined Perrier-Jouët, where she will work alongside Hervé Deschamps, who is preparing for his succession after 35 years at the Maison. When she becomes Cellar Master in a few years, Frerson will be just the eighth Cellar Master in the history of Perrier-Jouët and the first ever female Cellar Master.
