WORLD FAMOUS CHAMPAGNE HOUSE SOLD

Remy Cointreau’s Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck Champagne have been bought by French company Societe Europeenne de Participations Industrielles (EPI). The deal is reported to be worth €4OO million (US $569 million). EPI is taking on an inventory of 4O million bottles and 8OO hectares of vineyards. EPI is the holding company of the Descours family, which owns a number of high end French clothing brands. EPI also controls Cotes du Luberon estate Château La Verrerie, which has been run by the Descours family for 3O years. Piper-Heidsieck was founded in 1785 by Florent-Louis Heidsieck. It was later split into three different entities, the others being Heidsieck Monopole and Charles Heidsieck. Together they are some of the world’s best-known and most-awarded Champagne brands. Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck won more than 2O medals in the 2O1O Decanter World Wine Awards, including five regional trophies.