HORS-SÉRIE COTEAUX CHAMPENOIS 2022 

Challenging the tradition of the Coteaux Champenois

While we might have expected a new champagne,the House has come up with a still wine, Blanc de Noirs, crafted with the savoir-faire of its Chief Winemaker.

Highlighting two iconic terroirs, two unique, different and complementary Coteaux Champenois wines have been released: Hors-Série Coteaux Champenois Aÿ 2022 and Hors-Série Coteaux Champenois Ambonnay 2022.

Two still white wines made with Pinot Noir

For decades, Piper-Heidsieck has always favoured Pinot Noir when blending its cuvées. In 2023, the launch of Essentiel Blanc de Noirs confirmed this attachment to Pinot Noir, already dominant in multi-vintage, Brut and Essentiel cuvées

Revealing unexpected facets of Pinot Noir 

While most Coteaux Champenois are white wines made from white grape varieties or red wines made from black grape varieties, this Hors-Série double edition pays homage to its iconic varietal: using Pinot Noir to make a white wine.

TWO GRAND CRU TERROIRS, SYMBOLIC OF PIPER-HEIDSIECK, GROWN USING SUSTAINABLE VITICULTURE

The plot in Aÿ, lieu-dit Chauffour : the source of minerality and elegance found in Hors-Série Coteaux Champenois Aÿ 2022

Aÿ is located in the heart of the Champagne vineyard, 15 miles (25 km) to the south of Reims, and 3 miles (5 km) from Épernay, in the Grande Vallée de la Marne. Planted out in 2004, the Aÿ plot, in an area called Chauffour, produces elegant, upright fruit on a limestone soil, exposed to the rising sun (north-east), thereby preserving its freshness and minerality.

Les Champs Seaux plot in Ambonnay : behind the strength and finesse of Hors-Série Coteaux Champenois Ambonnay 2022

Located in the south-eastern corner of the Montagne de Reims vineyard, Ambonnay produces exceptional Pinot Noirs, balanced between strength and finesse.

The selected plot in Ambonnay, Les Champs Seaux (planted out in 2010, south-west facing) offers large, delicious and plentiful grapes.

Weather 2022 : beneficial rainsand plenty of sunshine

After an autumn and winter punctuated by frosts, a rain-free spring dried out the vines from March. Thankfully, in June, light showers and storms revived the vineyards despite an unusual amount of sunshine. Then, heat records were smashed in summer. Thanks to good soil moisture, the harvest produced superb grapes with perfect ripeness and balance.

Hors-Série, Coteaux Champenois Ay : minéral, airy and élégant

With brilliant brightness and iridescent glints,Hors-Série Coteaux Champenois Aÿ 2022 offers an elegant, fine, and mineral nose. Aromas alternate between pear, honeysuckle, fresh almond, mandarin and acacia honey.

Hors-Série Coteaux Champenois Ambonnay 2022 : indulgent, générous and fruity 

Enhanced by an intense and dazzling white golden hue, Hors-Série Coteaux Champenois Ambonnay 2022 has an indulgent and well-defined nose.

Its particularly expressive fragrance evokes orchard fruits: white peach, damson and black cherry. Then, aromas of dried apricot and violet linger on in spicy overtones (honey, vanilla and nutmeg).