By James Atkinson
Coles Liquor has picked up the exclusive off-premise distribution rights for Piper-Heidsieck champagnes in Australia, while Robert Oatley Vineyards has assumed responsibility for on-premise distribution.
Under new distribution arrangements starting on January 1, Piper-Heidsieck has followed Charles Heidsieck Champagne – both of which are owned by fashion-led luxury goods company EPI – in exiting the Suntory Australia portfolio.
Robert Oatley Vineyards was announced as the new Australian distributor for Charles Heidsieck in August.
Rob Remnant, Directeur General of Champagnes Piper-Heidsieck & Charles Heidsieck, said the company was "grateful to Suntory Australia for their endeavours on behalf of the Piper-Heidsieck brand over the past four years".
"We are excited to be strengthening further our partnership with Robert Oatley Vineyards, and are delighted to be entering into a direct supply relationship with Coles Liquor," he said.
Robert Oatley Vineyards CEO Anthony Roberts said: "We see a fantastic opportunity to position Piper-Heidsieck champagnes on many wine lists across the country and enable consumers to enjoy these outstanding wines."
Coles Liquor general manager of business development, Grant Ramage said he was looking forward to working with Piper-Heidsieck to grow the brand in Australia.
"This new partnership is further evidence of Coles Liquor's strong track record of collaborating with wine producers and distributors to grow their brands and increase sales volumes."
As a champagne consumer, would it be an advantage to educate bar managers to judge the quality of a half-consumed bottle from night before, when we purchased a glass (today), saying “Is it a fresh bottle please?” Manager said “It was only opened last night.” and poured into two P.H. glasses – when being poured the first glass from remainder of champagne appeared flat, the bead was rising ONLY from the base bead spot, no bead rising around the quantity in the glass, no frothing on surface.
The second glass had bubbles around the glass and small frothing on surface. We thought it might be champagne glass being not rinsed in hot water enough in their dishwashing process, to flatten the wine. There was no aroma. I wanted to ask for a new bottle to be opened, my friend however didn’t want to make a fuss.
We have been educated in wine by Kaaren Palmer a champagne editor for GalaxyGuides, and we know when champagne is flat. By the time we sipped half a glass, both glasses were flat and tasteless. For a premium drink, this was very dismissive of the manager to dismiss our purchase in that way.
The glass washing in champagne bars is often less than adequate to rise the bead. Half a bottle was oxygenated and loss its creamy fizz, and I wouldn’t buy it there unless a new bottle were opened.
Very disappointed as we had a new bottle opened same bar three days prior, and the aromas flavours and creamy experience was brilliant, it may be my new favourite everyday champagne, but not if a fresh bottle is not opened. The staff member seemed to not care.
We paid and left.