{"id":238,"date":"2019-07-15T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-07-15T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grape-to-glass.com\/?page_id=238"},"modified":"2026-02-11T12:01:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T23:01:30","slug":"regis-camus-rare-champagne","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/grape-to-glass.com\/index.php\/regis-camus-rare-champagne\/","title":{"rendered":"R\u00e9gis Camus – an exceptional man & his Rare Champagne"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\tSo a question I asked myself – how do you sign off and try to mark a full-stop to this most significant of European wine chapters and tour for 2019…?
\nWell you get invited by R\u00e9gis Camus to have a one-on-one private tasting experience of his\u00a0\u2018Rare\u2019<\/em>\u00a0Champagnes. Rare Champagne is now an exclusive focus –\u00a0(a separate standalone brand from the Champagne House Piper-Heidsieck)<\/em>\u00a0and the personal wine project for R\u00e9gis. Last year in 2018 we spent some time working through the Piper-Heidsieck vin clair and assemblage wines, along with other finished-dressed wines. And it was with this most recent experience and insight that was a great deal of assistance with the\u00a0‘heritage’<\/em>\u00a0tasting conducted with Emilien Boutillat the new\u00a0chef de cave<\/em>\u00a0at Piper Heidsieck.
\nI have had the honour of knowing R\u00e9gis for several years. Plus on more than one occasion the unique opportunity of being guided through an extensive tasting of the single crus – components that make up this great Champagne house. I can still remember like it was yesterday, R\u00e9gis taking me through one of the most extensive and insightful vin clair tastings back in 2009. An experience that made my years and study of Champagne come together and gave myself clarity in the process – creating harmony and something greater than the parts involved. Along with the assistance of R\u00e9gis, he has given me a confidence and focus that has assisted me since when learning and tasting new wines across the globe.
\nIt takes a special skill and intuition, even a sixth sense to craft than redefine a Champagne style. And then have the wines appreciated, repeat purchased and still growing around the world – and having your peers name you\u00a0\u2018Sparkling Winemaker of the Year\u2019<\/em>\u00a08 times this century, by the International Wine Challenge. Plus crafting the wine that have made Piper-Heidsieck the most awarded Champagne House this century.\n\t\t\t\t![\"Piper-Heidsieck-Image-02\"](\"https:\/\/grape-to-glass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Piper-Heidsieck-Image-02.png\" "\\"Piper-Heidsieck-Image-02\\"")
\n\tEven though I know R\u00e9gis – the open doors, the unparalleled assess and\u00a0insights shared by R\u00e9gis when I come to Reims and the winery is exceptionally generous –\u00a0and that is possibly the understatement of the century<\/em>. This is not a regular\u00a0routine\u00a0for R\u00e9gis – plus one key detail when tasting at this level of disclosure – the whole experience is in French –\u00a0vous devez comprendre le fran\u00e7ais<\/em>. Plus there is nowhere these insights that R\u00e9gis shares are written down. So\u00a0you have to make the most of these one-on-one sessions.
\nSo now with a new focus and in his native French – R\u00e9gis took me through a selection of Rare Champagnes to see his creations and expressions of terroir and vintage and also taste the wine that had just received the IWC Champagne Sparking Wine for 2019 for the Champagne \u2018Rare Vintage\u2019<\/em>\u00a02006. Made even more special as it was the\u00a0\u2018Daniel Thibault\u2019<\/em>\u00a0named trophy – the man behind the change in personality and direction of Piper-Heidsieck in the 1980\u2019s through until his early passing in 2002 – and such an important mentor for R\u00e9gis and the industry.
\n
\nSo in the tasting gallery we opened the following Rare Champagnes:\n\u2605\u00a0Rare Vintage 2002<\/strong>\u00a0– Richness is the key word along with \u2018Iconic\u2019 in style.
\n\u2605\u00a0Rare Vintage 1998<\/strong>\u00a0– *(magnum)<\/em>\u00a0– Structure & incredible radiance\u2026and still youthful.
\n\u2605\u00a0Rare Vintage 2006<\/strong>\u00a0– Generosity & harmony – I can still taste it\u2026perfectly balanced.
\n\u2605\u00a0Rare Vintage Ros\u00e9 2008<\/strong>* – Freshness & elegance\u2026plus a new statement and style. *(upcoming release).\n\t\t\t\t![\"Piper-Heidsieck-Image-03\"](\"https:\/\/grape-to-glass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Piper-Heidsieck-Image-03.png\" "\\"Piper-Heidsieck-Image-03\\"")
\n\tThe foresight of R\u00e9gis is possibly unparalleled – but when talking with him, it becomes so real and tangible, a complete understanding for the cru vineyards, fruit composition, breadth & layers of flavour, synergy and alchemy\u00a0(art & science coming together as one)<\/em>\u00a0and the maturation of 12 – 14 years on lees for the white wines and some 8 years on lees for the ros\u00e9 wine is something to behold. The elevated aromas, concentration and clarity of flavours in his Rare Champagne is like experiencing a high-definition kaleidoscope for the senses for the first time. The harmony of flavour combinations and texture like no other.
\nThen after talking through the coming vintage and some exciting projects, we drove into the centre of Reims for dinner at the ever so friendly 2 Star Michelin Restaurant\u00a0\u2018Le Jardin\u2019<\/em>\u00a0– where\u00a0*(Catherine Curie – my long-time friend and Ambassador for Piper-Heidsieck & Rare joined us)<\/em>\u00a0– and for the next few hours we enjoyed our conversation with two bottles of Rare 2002 and a Rare Ros\u00e9 2008 paired with seasonal cuisine. Such an enjoyable and memorable evening – then sadly we had to part as R\u00e9gis had an incredibly early flight the next morning.
\nCongratulations again to my good friend on the 2019 IWC Champagne Sparking Wine Trophy for your Champagne \u2018Rare Vintage\u2019 2006 – well deserved – always so special catching up & talking about Champagne, along with some exciting new projects. So until next time my friend, as I know you will – \u2018sip, savour & share the journey\u2026\u2019.<\/em>\n\tRare Champagnes are available in New Zealand and around the globe from quality wine retailers, restaurants & wine bars.
\n\u2605 The website: Rare Champagne<\/a>.\n