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Rare Champagne — A cuvée made exclusively from vintages of exceptional quality

Founded in 1976 under the auspices of Piper-Heidsieck — a house founded in 1785 by Florens-Louis Heidsieck during the reign of Marie-Antoinette —, the Rare brand embodies a radical philosophy within the world of prestige champagne: to be released only in truly exceptional vintages. Under the guidanceof Émilien Boutillat, cellar master, the signature blend combines 70 per cent Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs and — an extremely rare occurrence — from the Montagne de Reims, a region usually reserved for Pinot Noir, bringing a precise and distinctive minerality that competitors cannot replicate, with 30 per cent Pinot Noir from the great terroirs of Verzy and Aÿ. Each cuvée is aged for at least eight to nine years in the cellars before being released — with a deliberately unconventional character that celebrates the unique, sometimes rebellious, personality of an extraordinary vintage. Rated up to 98/100 by Bettane & Desseauve and 97/100 by Decanter, Rare ranks among the most closely scrutinised prestige cuvées by international critics.

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Rare Champagne — 2012 vintage

The Rare ranges — Iconic vintages and prestigious rosés

The Rare range has comprised only around ten vintages since its inception, each bearing a unique designation. The Rare Millésime 2002 — an ‘iconic benchmark cuvée’ — embodies exemplary purity and character. The Rare Millésime 2012 ‘Lumineux’, a highly structured wine with spicy and tropical notes, shows ageing potential until 2044. The Rare Rosé Millésime 2012 ‘Virtuose’ combines floral notes, fruit and spice with perfect balance. When pairing with food, the vintage bruts come into their own with roast lobster, turbot in beurre blanc or scallops; the rosés are best enjoyed with foie gras terrine, poultry in cream sauce or delicate red-berry desserts.

Rare vintages are best served between 8 and 10 °C in a wide-bowled tulip glass, allowing their full aromatic complexity to unfold. Their ageing potential is exceptional: the Rare 2012 is expected to keep until 2044. More recent vintages still deserve a few more years of patience in a cool, dark cellar before they reveal their full potential.

Discover the Rare vintages available in the selection at Pépites en Champagne — a premium artisanal wine merchant offering sommelier advice, elegant packaging and express delivery throughout France and across Europe.

Rare — From Reims to Marie-Antoinette: rarity as a choice

In 1785, Florens-Louis Heidsieck founded the house in Reims that would give rise to Piper-Heidsieck, which very quickly became associated with the French royal court and Marie-Antoinette. Almost two centuries later, in 1976, Rare was launched: a limited-edition prestige cuvée, unveiled to the world in 1985 in an exclusive bottle co-designed with Van Cleef & Arpels, of which only three examples exist. The brand is now owned by the Descours family as part of the EPI Group.

The signature blend comprises 70 per cent Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims, complemented by 30 per cent Pinot Noir from the grands crus of Verzy and Aÿ. Under the guidance ofÉmilien Boutillat, each vintage is aged for at least eight to nine years in maturation cellars — a period that forges the complexity and bold character unique to Rare.

Domaine Rare in Champagne — cellars in the Marne region

Your questions about Rare champagnes

Is Rare champagne worth the price compared to Dom Pérignon or Krug?
Priced between €190 and €400 depending on the vintage, Rare is a direct rival to Dom Pérignon and Krug, with the added advantage of extreme rarity: only around ten vintages in fifty years. International critics confirm this standing — with scores of up to 98/100 from Bettane & Desseauve, 97/100 from Decanter and 97/100 from James Suckling.
What food and wine pairings go well with Rare champagne?
Rare vintage brut champagnes are the perfect accompaniment to roast lobster, turbot in beurre blanc, scallops or white truffles as a starter. Vintage rosés come into their own with foie gras terrine, Bresse poultry in a creamy sauce or red berry desserts. Rare Le Secret, a non-dosé champagne, is the perfect accompaniment to fine oysters or delicate fish tartare.
How should Rare champagne be stored and served?
Store Rare horizontally, at between 10 and 12 °C, away from light and vibrations. Serve at between 8 and 10 °C in a wide-rimmed tulip glass. Great vintages have exceptional ageing potential — the 2012 Rare is expected to keep until 2044. Allow a few minutes after opening for the aromas to fully develop.
Where can I buy Rare champagne online?
Discover the full Rare range at Pépites en Champagne — an artisanal selection, expert advice, and express delivery throughout France and Europe.
What makes the Rare champagne bottle truly unique?
The first Rare vintage — the 1976 cuvée, unveiled in 1985 — was presented in an exclusive bottle co-created with Van Cleef & Arpels, of which only three exist in the world. This fusion of fine jewellery and prestigious champagne is a hallmark of the brand, continued in ‘Rare Le Secret’, a Haute Joaillerie edition by Mellerio, inspired by Marie-Antoinette.
Which Rare vintage should I choose — open it now or wait?
The Rare Millésime 2006 ‘Solaire’ and the Rare 2008 ‘Infini’ offer a wonderful opportunity to enjoy them now. The Rare 2012 ‘Lumineux’ still warrants further ageing — its potential is predicted to last until 2044. For immediate enjoyment, the Rare Rosé 2012 ‘Virtuose’ already displays remarkable balance.

About

Champagne Rare — the essentials

Founded in
1976
Founder
Piper-Heidsieck (fondée par Florens-Louis Heidsieck en 1785)
House / owner
Famille Descours (propriétaire), groupe EPI (holding depuis 2011)
Location
Reims, Montagne de Reims
Grape varieties
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Cellar master
Émilien Boutillat
Distinctions
Bettane & Desseauve 98/100 (2026, 2025), The Drinks Business Champagne Masters Master (2025), Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championship Or (2025), Decanter World Wine Awards 97/100 (2025), James Suckling 97/100 (2024), Wine Spectator 96/100 (2024), International Wine & Spirits Competition 95/100 (2025), Wine Enthusiast 95/100 (2024)
Cuvées
Rare Millésime 1976, Rare Millésime 1979, Rare Millésime 1985, Rare Millésime 1988, Rare Millésime 1990, Rare Millésime 1998

Further reading

Giving champagne as a gift: choose wisely, and don’t forget the accompanying message
Giving champagne as a gift: choose wisely, and don’t forget the accompanying message
Which champagne to give, to whom and when — and why the words that go with it matter more than the gift box.
wine tasting in Rhône-Alpes
Learning about wine tasting in Rhône-Alpes: a journey to the heart of a diverse wine-growing region
From Syrah in the northern Rhône to Gamay in Beaujolais and the Alpine grape varieties of Savoie, Rhône-Alpes is the ideal place to learn for anyone wishing to take their first steps in wine tasting.
Que faut-il choisir entre le champagne de grande maison et le champagne de vigneron ?
What's the right choice between champagne from the big houses and champagne from the winegrowers?
Champagne from a major house or from an independent winegrower: between brand prestige and the authenticity of the terroir, the criteria for choosing reveal two distinct worlds.

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