Rare Champagne emerged from the heart of the Champagne vineyards, in Reims, in 1976. For years, this cuvée was considered the most emblematic of the Piper-Heidsieck Champagne House, founded by Florens-Louis Heidsieck in 1785. It was during this very year that he presented his famous Prestige cuvée to Marie-Antoinette. In 1885, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this landmark event, the House unveiled a limited series of bottles branded the Cuvée du Centenaire. For this special occasion, Pierre-Karl Fabergé, the jeweller who designed the majestic and inimitable Fabergé eggs for Tsar Alexander III, was commissioned to adorn the bottle with gold, diamonds and lapis lazuli. Unfortunately, this project never came to fruition owing to the fragile nature of the glass bottles and the tools of the time, but it underlines the extreme distinction of this Champagne reference. Since 2018, Rare Champagne has become a Champagne House in its own right, crafting exceptional, very limited-edition cuvées with an inimitable style that has contributed to establishing France’s international reputation in the wine world.

This cuvée was produced to commemorate the centenary of the first Grand Cru cuvée presented by Piper-Heidsieck to Queen Marie-Antoinette. A first limited edition was produced in 1885. Pierre-Karl Fabergé, the jeweller of Tsar Alexander III, was commissioned to decorate the bottle with spectacular ornaments. Unfortunately, this plan never came to fruition owing to the lack of efficient tools at the time.
The vibrant gold colour is complemented by an intense, luminous effervescence. The elegant, expressive nose is characterised by white floral and black tea aromas, mingled with subtle citrus and lime blossom scents. The rich, generous palate reveals two distinct facets, one indulgent and the other heady, enhanced by a lively, invigorating palate. Aromas of whipped cream and almond paste mingle with notes of blood orange, leading to a fresh, slightly smoky finish.