It’s a rare treat on a Sunday evening to enjoy just one of the world’s most famous champagne brands; but two was an exceptional pleasure for Auckland’s wine writers and trade hosted by Hancocks at its premises in Freemans Bay last weekend.

International House Communications Director for Maison Piper-Heidsieck, Christian Holthausen gave an exclusive Champagne Master Class to a very appreciative group, as part of his mission to upskill Kiwis in the art of enjoying fine champagne.

Holthausen represents the two brands, Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck, both blended by much-awarded Chef de Caves Regis Camus.

The passionate Holthausen is more than just a marketing man. He has spent all his working life with champagne and each year he splits his time equally between travelling the world communicating his love and knowledge of Heidsieck champagnes to the likes of us and the other half of the year on the ground working under the great Camus. He heads back to Reims for vintage this week where he will join the month's harvest, hand picking grapes at whichever of the 180 villages he is sent. He also sits on the panel of six that blends the champagnes each year. 

This man was truly believable and the wines he showed us were the proof.

From the Piper range with all its joyful extravagance the Cuvee Brut NV, the Rose Sauvage with its big dollop of Pinot Noir, to the exceptional Vintage 2000 all still were decidedly identifiably Piper -bright, citrus, apple, generous and exuberant with all the cred of a Grand Marque champagne.

From the more restrained elegant Charles Heidsieck range the Brut Reserve, the refined Rose Reserve to the amazing Blancs des Millenaires 1995, one of the three best blanc de blancs I have ever come across and this range all identifiably Charles Heidsieck – elegant complexity, sophistication, subtle and mature. Classy stuff!