Fundamentals maintained
Extravagance
In the specific and difficult context of the champagne market, Piper-Heidsieck maintained its objective of moving upmarket and adding value by increasing the brand’s presence in the on-trade sector, which is a value creator, and by continuing its policy of innovation. 
Rare, the prestigious vintage set in gold and launched at the end of 2008, was very successful in Asia, particularly in Japan. Piper-Heidsieck continued its policy of staging spectacular year-end events: following in the footsteps of Jean-Paul Gaultier and Viktor & Rolf, Christian Louboutin, the celebrated shoe designer, continued the extravagant saga. He has designed a crystal shoe for
Piper-Heidsieck, presented with a redesigned bottle in a luxury box. Le Rituel Piper-Heidsieck by Christian Louboutin is an updated version of the historical and sensual ritual of “drinking out of the shoes of the world’s most beautiful women” and was exhibited in the finest cellars and department stores. It was the subject of extravagant evenings in Japan and the US and afforded the brand the highest visibility it had ever achieved in magazines throughout the world.
Recognition
Charles Heidsieck champagne wines are gradually joining the ranks of the great wines.
Whether it is Brut Réserve, a complex and mellow blend of vintages, or grand cuvées such as Blanc des Millénaires 1995 or Rosé 1996, these wines are today recognised as excellent wines meriting their place at the best gastronomic tables and in the highest quality establishments. Charles Heidsieck joined forces with Riedel, a master crystal maker to produce a box for this fine wine and to stamp its Amadeo decanter with the House’s coat of arms. This limited edition decanter is available from the most respected cellar men and lies nestled in a box accompanied by a bottle of Blanc des Millénaires 1995.
The brand’s recognition is the result of the work initiated by Régis Camus, who knew how to reclaim Charles Heidsieck’s winemaking history, reinterpret it, and update it in order to retain its position as a wine at the height of excellence. Once again this year, the foremost panels have rewarded this work and Régis Camus was nominated 2009’s best cellar master for the fourth consecutive year.