Champagne Expert Coming To Share Secrets

International Champagne Expert Coming To Share Secrets Of A Champagne Lifestyle

International House Communications Director for Maison Piper-Heidsieck, Christian Holthausen is coming down under to educate Kiwis on the art of serving and drinking fine champagne.

The American-born champagne expert divides his time between Maison Piper-Heidsieck in Reims, France and travelling the four corners of the world sharing his knowledge of champagne production, history and culture.

Mr Holthausen represents two of the most prestigious champagne brands in the world, Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck, both blended by Chef de Caves Régis Camus, awarded the "Sparkling Winemaker of the Year" trophy by London's International Wine Challenge in 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Piper-Heidsieck has been producing champagne with an added touch of glamour and elegance since 1785. Known for its extravagance and style, Piper-Heidsieck was the preferred champagne of Marie-Antoinette at the royal court of Versailles. Another big fan of the House, Marilyn Monroe, once famously declared that she started each morning with a glass of Piper-Heidsieck. Over the years, Piper-Heidsieck has worked with some of the biggest names in fashion and design, from Jean-Paul Gaultier to Jaime Hayon to Viktor + Rolf to most recently, Christian Louboutin.

Not one to be ignored, Charles Heidsieck has a rich history in its own right and is widely recognised as one of the most critically acclaimed champagnes by the most discriminating juries. Few New Zealanders know that Robert Falcon Scott left Christchurch with several cases of Charles Heidsieck with him on his ill-fated journey to the South Pole in 1910, or that Queen Elizabeth II was served Charles Heidsieck by President Eisenhower on her first official visit to the United States after her coronation in 1952.

Mr Holthausen says he is looking forward to sharing his passion for his beloved Champagne region with New Zealanders.

"Champagne is one of the most spectacular wines in the world, albeit one that needs to be demystified. It is perfect on so many occasions, from the simplest to the most extravagant," says Mr Holthausen.

"Having two fantastic champagne brands within the same House provides me with the unique opportunity to share an extremely large and diverse number of champagnes - and I can't wait to enjoy these wines with new friends in New Zealand."

During his stay in New Zealand, Mr Holthausen will be hosting an exclusive Champagne Master Class in Auckland before travelling around the country as part of the Hancocks Winemakers Tour, revealing some of the secrets of champagne to the nation's top wine trade.

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