Liberty takes on Piper-Heidsieck

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 14 January, 2019

Liberty Wines is bolstering its Champagne portfolio by taking on distribution for Piper-Heidsieck.

The Grandes Marques Champagne house and its flagship cuvee, Rare, will be joining Liberty’s firmament as of March 1 after parting ways with William Grant & Sons.

“We are very pleased to expand our partnership with Liberty Wines, who we trust to build upon the excellent work done by William Grant & Sons over the past 10 years,” Damien Lafaurie, CEO of Champagnes Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck, said.

“Liberty Wines’ service and experience across the UK wine trade make them an ideal fit for these Grande Marques Champagnes, and we are excited about the opportunity this presents for our customers.”

The partnership builds on an existing relationship between Liberty and the Heidsieck Champagne clan which began in 2012, when the distributor took on responsibility for Charles Heidsieck in the UK.

Charles Heidsieck is the great-nephew of Florens-Louis Heidsieck, who founded Piper-Heidsieck in 1785.

The account is moving across from William Grant & Sons, where MD Neil Barker confirmed the business is now focusing its attention on its premium spirits range.

David Gleave, managing director at Liberty Wines, said: “We are pleased that Piper-Heidsieck and Rare have chosen Liberty Wines to extend their distribution in the UK. We are extremely proud of the work we have done with Charles Heidsieck since 2012 and feel that Piper and Rare complement our current Champagne portfolio, so will greatly strengthen what we can offer our customers.”

Prices will range from £35.99 RRP for Piper-Heidsieck Brut to £275 Rare Champagne Rare Rose Vintage RRP.

A selecton will be available to taste at tomorrow’s annual portfolio tasting for Liberty Wines at The Oval cricket ground.

Top photo shows cellar master, Régis Camus, at a Piper-Heidsieck vineyard near Reims.

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