Rare Champagne

History of Rare Champagne

The history of Rare Champagne dates back to 1785, when Florens-Louis Heidsieck, founder of the Piper-Heidsieck house, presented a special cuvée to Queen Marie-Antoinette. This cuvée, worthy of royalty, marked the beginning of a legacy of excellence that endures to this day. Officially launched in 1976 with the eponymous vintage, Rare Champagne gradually established itself as a fully independent brand in 2018, separate from Piper-Heidsieck, much like Dom Pérignon for Moët & Chandon.

The house has always maintained a close relationship with art and goldsmithing. From its very beginnings, Rare Champagne collaborated with great jewellers such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Fabergé, and more recently Arthus-Bertrand, who adorned its bottles with a brass and gold tiara as a tribute to Marie-Antoinette. Every detail of production, from the bottle design to the assemblage, celebrates refinement and singularity. The objective is clear: to position Rare Champagne among the most prestigious cuvées in the region and in the world.

Terroirs and Vines of Rare Champagne

Rare Champagne rigorously selects the finest terroirs of the Champagne region to create exceptional cuvées. Unlike many houses that focus on Premier and Grand Cru classifications, Rare Champagne prioritizes quality and the expression of the soils. The vineyards are located primarily on the Montagne de Reims, a terroir long renowned for its pinot noir, but here harnessed for chardonnay, the key grape variety in Rare's cuvées.

The grapes come from emblematic crus such as Avize, Oger, and Villers-Marmery for chardonnay, and Ambonnay or Verzy for pinot noir. These terroirs bring a remarkable minerality and structure to each cuvée, while respecting the particular climatic conditions of each vintage.

Winemaking at Rare Champagne

Winemaking at Rare Champagne is a true art, under the direction of cellar master Émilien Boutillat, recipient of the prestigious title of "Sparkling Winemaker of the Year" in 2021 and 2023. Rare Champagnes are crafted using a traditional method, where patience and rigour are paramount. Each vintage is based on a blend dominated by chardonnay (between 60 and 70%), complemented by pinot noir, sourced from the finest plots in the region.

The winemaking process takes place without any use of wood, thus preserving the purity of the aromas. The cuvées are aged on lees for many years, sometimes more than 9 years, which allows the development of complex aromas such as notes of white flowers, citrus, tropical fruits, and a subtle minerality. The final dosage, often around 9 grams per litre, enhances this elegance without overpowering it, offering a Champagne that is both fresh and complex.

The Cuvées of Rare Champagne

Rare Champagne offers a limited range of cuvées, each representing an exceptional year and produced in very limited quantities. Among the most celebrated cuvées:

Rare Millésime: The house's flagship vintage Champagne. Crafted from the most exceptional harvests, it stands out for its minerality and unique character, with complex aromas of flowers, tropical fruits, and a spiced touch.

Rare Rosé Millésime: An exceptional rosé, crafted from a blend of chardonnay (60%) and pinot noir (40%). This rosé offers a copper-hued robe with aromas of red berries, citrus, and spices, all supported by a fine structure and a great length on the palate.

Rare Rosé Millésime 2014: The latest rosé cuvée to date, distinguished by aromas of pomegranate, morello cherry, and a delicate mousse. An exceptional wine for ageing.

Rare Millésime 2013: A cuvée born of capricious yet triumphant weather, it stands out for its notes of citrus and black tea — a fresh and radiant wine.

Rare Champagne focuses on exceptional vintages, and in nearly 50 years of existence, only fourteen vintages have been produced. Here is a selection of vintages to discover to enrich your cellar: 1976, 1979, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2006, 2007 (Rosé), 2008, 2012 (Rosé), 2013, 2014 (Rosé)

The Champagne region is home to many prestigious houses, and for lovers of fine wines, here are a few more estates to explore: Dom Pérignon, Krug, Bollinger, Louis Roederer, Veuve Clicquot…

Rare Champagne embodies elegance, rarity, and excellence. With only fourteen vintages in nearly fifty years, each cuvée is a tribute to the terroir, history, and nature. Every bottle of Rare Champagne tells a story of resilience in the face of the climate's whims, elevated by exceptional craftsmanship. For lovers of luxury Champagnes, Rare Champagne represents a true treasure to discover and share.