From Reims: Champagne and Family-Run Wineries Tour
Join a scenic tour of the Champagne region starting from Reims. Explore the village of Hautvillers and visit 2 family-run wineries to learn about the Champagne-making ...
Profile
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2008: best 2018 to 2033.
vintage10 yrs25 yrs27 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Vinous reviewed 2021 | 2008 | 94/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: candied citrus, white flowers, honey, spice
Palate: chalk, saffron-like spice, creamy texture, long finish
The Chardonnay-led prestige cuvee, now its own house: candied citrus and white flowers over honey and spice, the palate creamy with chalk and a long finish.
What it pairs with
- Lobster Creamy chalk and citrus meet sweet shellfish.More wines for lobster →Find lobster on TableJourney →
- Roast poularde Honey and spice echo roasted poultry.More wines for chicken and white meat →Find roast poularde on TableJourney →
- Aged Comte Candied-citrus depth meets the nutty cheese.More wines for aged hard cheese →
With cheese
How to serve Rare Champagne
Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
- Serve at 6-8°C. Cellar temperature (6-8°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a tulip flute. A tulip shape rewards the bouquet better than a narrow flute and frames the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Lobster, Roast poularde, Aged Comte. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Rare debuted with the 1976 vintage in an ornate gilded bottle; once Piper-Heidsieck's prestige cuvee, it became its own standalone house in 2018.
- 1976First Rare vintage produced as Piper-Heidsieck's prestige cuvee
- 2018Rare Champagne spun off as a standalone house
Facts
- Producer
- Piper-Heidsieck · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
- Classification
- AOC Champagne
- Oak
- Stainless steel; Chardonnay-led prestige cuvee, long lees ageing
- ABV
- 12.0%
- Price
- EUR 180 to 280 at retail
- Drinking window
- 10 to 25 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1976
Frequently asked about Rare Champagne
What does Rare Champagne taste like?
On the nose, candied citrus, white flowers, honey, spice. On the palate, chalk, saffron-like spice, creamy texture, long finish. Structurally full-bodied, high acidity with a long finish. The Chardonnay-led prestige cuvee, now its own house: candied citrus and white flowers over honey and spice, the palate creamy with chalk and a long finish.
When should I drink Rare Champagne?
Drink 10 to 25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Rare Champagne?
Lobster is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Roast poularde and Aged Comte. Creamy chalk and citrus meet sweet shellfish.
What grapes are in Rare Champagne?
The blend is Chardonnay, Pinot Noir. The wine is classified as AOC Champagne.
Tags
Taste it where it is made: tastings near Piper-Heidsieck
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