Rare Champagne

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 Find lobster on TableJourney →
  Creamy chalk and citrus meet sweet shellfish.
• Roast poularde Find roast poularde on TableJourney →
  Honey and spice echo roasted poultry.
• Aged Comte
  Candied-citrus depth meets the nutty cheese.

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.

1. 1976 — First Rare vintage produced as Piper-Heidsieck's prestige cuvee
2. 2018 — Rare Champagne spun off as a standalone house

Facts

Producer

Piper-Heidsieck

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

Scores

• Vinous 94 (2008 vintage, reviewed 2021)

Tags