Back in January 2023, Singapore Airlines downgraded its Champagne offering in Business Class on regional routes from Charles Heidsieck or Piper-Heidsieck to Henriot Brut Souverain, a switch that didn’t go down too popularly with many of our readers.
However, we can now report that from August 2023 there’s a ‘switcheroo’ in store on these services, which make up nearly 70% of the airline’s daily departures.
Farewell Henriot, hello Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel
From 1st August 2023, Henriot Brut Souverain Champagne will no longer be poured on regional Singapore Airlines flights and selected long-haul services, which is currently the case when you travel to and from:
- Australia / NZ (Cairns and Darwin only)
- Middle East
- North America (Los Angeles SQ11/12 only)
- North Asia
- South Africa
- South Asia
- South East Asia
This regional (and selected long-haul) route list represents 68% of SIA flights operating each day.
Champagne preference and quality is a very subjective topic, but Henriot really isn’t a favourite of ours, despite picking up a 4.0 Vivino rating. For us it has a long, creamy (almost buttery) finish, which isn’t our preference.
Indeed after the welcome glass on board flights with Henriot served, we tend to switch straight to wine, rather than have another glass of bubbly after takeoff, like we would with Charles Heidsieck or Piper, for example.
From 1st August 2023, all of these routes will switch to a non-vintage Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Cuvée Réservée Extra Brut, a three-variety blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 36% Pinot Meunier and 19% Chardonnay.
For the Champagne aficionados, tasting notes for this new variety are available here.
Here’s how Singapore Airlines describes the Champagne in its menus.
Essentiels is a classic multi-vintage blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, almost 20% of the Essentiels blend is made up of older reserve wines which gives the wine more complexity, richness and maturity yet still remaining fresh and bright.
Singapore Airlines
Many of our readers will recognise this Champagne from the SilverKris Business Class lounges at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, where it regularly appears as the 24/7 free-flow option for guests seeking a premium pre-flight tipple, no matter the time of day.
As such, we’ve managed to taste test it a few times, and we have broadly positive thoughts on this one.
As an Extra Brut, the Essentiel boasts a sharp, acidic flavour profile – fresh with lively bubbles – and it stands up well to strong foods including fish and white meats.
The Champagne scores 4.0 out of 5 at wine ratings site Vivino, based on nearly 4,000 user reviews.
You can pick up a bottle in Singapore for around S$80 based on our searches, though it’s not widely available commercially here, so you’re unlikely to see it on the shelves at stores like Cold Storage and FairPrice.
If you’re interested in trying it without committing to a whole bottle, Atlas Bar in Singapore pours this one by the glass, at S$29.
What about long-haul routes?
If Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel sounds familiar beyond just the SilverKris lounges, that’s because it’s also been appearing on SIA’s long-haul services since June this year, where it alternates with the ever-popular Charles Heidsieck.
That switch also marked the end of vintage Champagne in Business Class, with the Piper-Heidsieck Brut 2012 having appeared on some flights in this cabin since October 2021.
The latest alternating selection applies on SIA flights between Singapore and the following countries and regions:
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- Australia (except PER & DRW)
- Europe & Turkey
- New Zealand
- North America (except SQ11/12)
“Fifth freedom” flights between Frankfurt and New York, Manchester and Houston and Milan and Barcelona also have one of these two Champagnes on board in Business Class.
What about First Class Champagne?
As we recently reported, Singapore Airlines is now offering three Champagne choices in its Suites and First Class cabins for the first time, with the addition of a 2018 Vintage Vilmart Grand Cellier D’Or label from boutique Champagne house Vilmart & Cie.
This has been on board since 1st June 2023, and is offered in addition to the year-round Krug and 2008 or 2012 Tattinger Comtes de Champagne, for a great lineup on all flights – even the shortest ones with a First Class cabin like Singapore to Jakarta.
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SIA has confirmed to Mainly Miles that this forms part of the carrier’s new programme “A Celebration of Champagne”, which will offer five new Champagne labels on rotation, with each served for two months in addition to the regular pair.
The 2018 Vilmart Grand Cellier D’Or will be on board from now until 31st July 2023, after which the ‘guest label’ will rotate across the following selections:
- August & September 2023
2016 Geoffroy Volupté Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne Premier Cru (4.3 on Vivino) - October & November 2023
2018 Henri Giraud Multi-Vintage (4.5 on Vivino) - December 2023 & January 2024
Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires (4.6 on Vivino) - February & March 2024
Egly-Ouriet V.P Extra Brut Champagne Grand Cru ‘Ambonnay’ N.V. (4.4 on Vivino)
Inflight menu
You can see which Champagne to expect on your next Singapore Airlines flight by viewing the menu for your flight online up to eight days before departure via the airline’s Digital Menu System.
This allows you to see what’s on the menu with plenty of notice, including the all-important Champagne selection, so keep an eye out since the Champagne offering does rotate from time to time.
Summary
We’ve made no secret of the fact that we’re not personally fans of Henriot Champagne, and many of our readers have shared similar sentiments with us through our social media platforms!
If you too fall into this category, you’ll be pleased to know that Piper-Heidsieck Essential Extra Brut is now the fizz of choice for Singapore Airlines Business Class passengers on all regional routes (and some longer flights) from 1st August 2023.
For the majority of long-haul services, Charles Heidsieck alternates with this Champagne in Business Class, as it did before.
(Cover Photo: Piper-Heidsieck)
Finally!! Henriot was cr*p 😆