The Event: Tasting of Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck champagnes, March 30, 2009

The Time and Date: Monday, March 30, 2009  2PM to 4PM
The Event: Tasting of Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck champagnes,
conducted by Christian Holthausen, International Brand Ambassador for
both houses.
The Venue: Veritas, King St. East
The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers.
The Availability/Catalogue: most items are available in Canada, see
below.
The Quote/Background: when asked which Champagne she preferred, Monica
Ralphs said "Well, what time is it?". The Piper was definitely the
lighter of the two brands, and seemed to go well at breakfast or lunch
or brunch. The Charles was more weighty and thoughtful, best at or
after dinner.
The Wines:

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV, +36962 Vintages, $59.75 – more
mature, aged longer in the cellar
-Charles Heidsieck Brut 2000, +52449 Classics, $88.80
-

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Brut NV, +462432 LCBO, $57.75 – great in the AM
-Piper-Heidsieck Brut 2000, $99.75 Vintages in May
-Piper-Hiedsieck Rare 1999, about $250, not in Canada yet.
-Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Millenaires 1995, +52449 Classics, $174.80

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Piper-Heidsieck Rose Sauvage NV, $75, not yet available in Ontario – a
higher percentage of pinot noir red wine is added, low sugar, dry
tannins, food wine.

 

The Downside: we had to wait a bit for everybody to be assembled. Also,
a Charles Heidsieck Rose Champagne was not sent in time; it was to be
compared with the Piper Rose Sauvage.
The Upside: a really great comparison of two very different house
styles of Champagne.
The Contact Person: Liz Morellato  morellato@selectwines.ca.
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 90.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com