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Buy any 6 bottles and save 5%. Buy any 12 bottles and save 10% (excludes wines on offer). Free UK delivery on orders over £150. Tel: 02922 337454
Buy any 6 bottles and save 5%. Buy any 12 bottles and save 10% (excludes wines on offer). Free UK delivery on orders over £150. Tel: 02922 337454
Essentiel Extra Brut, Piper-Heidsieck - Gift Box

Essentiel Extra Brut, Piper-Heidsieck - Gift Box

Champagne, France

Tailored Gold

A thoughtful Christmas gift for someone who enjoys Champagne with a little more depth, Essentiel combines the polish of Piper-Heidsieck with a particularly dry, finely balanced style. Presented in a gift box, it makes a generous thank-you to festive hosts, a welcome addition to a Champagne lover’s collection or a delicious way to begin a special evening. Extended ageing brings richness and complexity, while its freshness keeps every glass inviting.

Precise, expressive and quietly luxurious, Essentiel opens with crisp apple, grapefruit and ripe pear, followed by toasted hazelnut, almond and warm brioche. Quince and a delicate suggestion of acacia honey lend generosity to the bouquet, while subtle citrus blossom and a saline mineral edge keep it beautifully lifted. There is real depth beneath the freshness, with the aromas unfolding gradually as the wine warms in the glass.

The palate combines a creamy, finely textured mousse with bright acidity and a clean, dry finish. Orchard fruit and citrus move through layers of pastry and roasted nuts, supported by a savoury richness that makes this as rewarding at the table as it is before dinner. Its low dosage allows the fruit and texture to take centre stage, delivering precision without austerity. Delicious on release, it also has the substance to develop further complexity with careful cellaring.

For when: You want the first glass to feel every bit as considered as the dinner that follows.

Pairs with: Serve with freshly shucked oysters, Parmesan sablés, crab on toasted brioche, pan-fried scallops, roast chicken with lemon and thyme or a wild mushroom tart.

Essentiel is Piper-Heidsieck’s more gastronomic interpretation of its house style, created through carefully selected vineyard parcels, extended lees ageing and a restrained Extra Brut dosage. A blend of Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay from more than fifty crus, it brings together the breadth of Champagne with the precision of meticulous blending.

Whats in the bottle
50% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay

Notable Awards
92 points, James Suckling

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£58.00
£58.00 - £58.00
£58.00
£41.75
£41.75 - £41.75
£41.75
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Founded in Reims in 1785 by Florens-Louis Heidsieck, Piper-Heidsieck has more than two centuries of Champagne history behind it. The partnership of Christian Heidsieck and Henri-Guillaume Piper helped establish its international reputation and gave the house its familiar name. Its enduring appeal rests on Champagnes that combine generous fruit with freshness, structure and an unmistakable sense of occasion.

The house draws on a broad network of vineyard sites across Champagne. For Essentiel, Pinot Noir from the Côte des Bar contributes fruit, while Montagne de Reims parcels bring structure. Meunier from the Vallée de la Marne and Massif de Saint-Thierry adds supple, expressive character, with Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs and Côte de Sézanne providing elegance and freshness.

Chief winemaker Émilien Boutillat has led the cellar since 2018, placing particular emphasis on precise blending and environmental progress. Piper-Heidsieck achieved B Corp certification in 2022, reflecting its wider commitment to responsible business practices. Essentiel captures this thoughtful approach in a Champagne whose complexity comes from careful selection and patient maturation.

A non-vintage blend of Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay sourced from more than fifty crus. Parcels are selected for their elegance and capacity to develop with ageing, while reserve wines contribute continuity and depth. The proportions vary between releases, allowing the cellar team to preserve Essentiel’s distinctive balance.

The first fermentation takes place in stainless-steel tanks, followed by full malolactic fermentation. After blending, the wine is bottled with selected yeasts for the second fermentation, which creates its natural effervescence.

Essentiel spends at least three years ageing on its lees before disgorgement, developing its creamy texture and toasted complexity. A low Extra Brut dosage preserves the wine’s dry, precise character, followed by further bottle rest before release.

Alcohol: 12%.

Wine-Searcher Retailer Awards 2026/27 Gold, Overall List in Cardiff