Rare Champagne is to become an independent brand
In May 2018, Séverine Frerson became the new Cellar Master of Piper-Heidsieck. Born and raised in the region, Frerson is a Champenois through and through. After studying oenology at the University of Reims, she worked at the Comité Champagne and Veuve Clicquot before joining Piper-Heidsieck in 2002. Frerson undertook a range of roles at Piper-Heidsieck, eventually become Deputy Cellar Master in 2015. Since then, she has worked side-by-side with previous Cellar Master and champagne legend Régis Camus.
Global Executive Director for Piper-Heidsieck Benoit Collard commented: “For many years, Régis Camus fulfilled this role flawlessly, shepherding Piper-Heidsieck, founded in 1785, to the pinnacles of excellence. His successor is a cheerful and determined young woman who has worked hand in hand with Régis for a long time. We nominated Séverine because she is exceptional. She has the intuition, vision and expertise necessary to lead Piper-Heidsieck to even higher summits of perfection and success.”
The transition of Cellar Master is just one shake-up amongst many at Piper-Heidsieck. The house also recently revealed that its prestige cuvée, Rare Champagne, is to become its own brand. Although previously labelled, marketed and sold under the Piper-Heidsieck name, Rare Champagne will now become an independent entity, spearheaded by none other than Régis Camus, who has subsequently assumed the new role of Cellar Master for Rare Champagne.
Also a bona fide Champenois, Camus has been at Piper-Heidsieck since 1994 and in that time has been named Sparkling Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge no fewer than eight times. The house recently revealed the sleek new Rare Champagne bottle designs (below), which notably do not reference Piper-Heidsieck at all.
No ‘Piper-Heidsieck’ on new bottles
Minimal labelling on the bottle neck
Rare Rosé has also been re-designed
