Champagne Piper-Heidsieck is to launch its ‘Essentiel’ cuvée in the UK this year, offering it exclusively to the on- and “high-end” off-trade.

The wine is an extra-aged and lower dosage Champagne that is kept on its lees for an additional 12-18 months compared to the brut and has a dosage of 5 grams per litre to the brut’s 9-10g/l.

The house says this makes the Champagne “ideal” for gastronomy and it will principally be offered to the on-trade with only “select” retailers being able to sell it.

The whole of Piper-Heidsieck’s range has recently been given refreshed packaging, including more detailed back labels which include disgorgement dates, the base vintage and the amount of reserve wine.

Piper-Heidsieck’s chef de caves, Régis Camus, said: “I am proud of this extra-brut cuvée which symbolises the essence of our Champagnes.

"This extra-aged and lower dosage wine is the pure expression of Piper-Heidsieck style: a structured, crisp and ardent wine.

Read more at source The Drinks Business