Critics' choice: Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut NV Champagne

Aoife Carrigy profiles  Marilyn Monroe's favourite Champagne in the her Independent wine column. 

Here's how she describes the Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut NV Champagne.

"A rich and complex Pinot-led blend from 100 crus, with 20pc reserve wines and two years’ lees-ageing. Warm and voluptuous with notes of lightly toasted macadamia, lemon curd and baked apple".

As well as appearing in Aoife's wine column, this was the first ever Champagne to be seen in a film (Laurel and Hardy...), as mentioned in the intro, it was Marilyn Monroe's favourite Champagne ("I wake up with a glass of Piper Heidsieck") and it has been the Champagne served at the Oscar ceremony.

It's style has often been described as elegant, generous and round and now with a sharpening of the focus on quality details, it is really a serious contender.

If you're looking for Champagne, or sparkling wine, then the Piper Hiedsieck Cuvée Brut is well worth seeking out.