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From 6th January, Business Class passengers on Singapore Airlines flights will once again enjoy vintage Champagne, with 2014 Piper-Heidsieck being poured network-wide.
Back in October 2021, Singapore Airlines introduced a vintage Champagne in Business Class on selected flights, in the form of a Piper-Heidsieck Brut 2012, which then alternated with Charles Heidsieck on long-haul flights.
However, in June 2023 Champagne in this cabin downgraded to the current non-vintage Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Cuvée Réservée Extra Brut, which was also extended to regional flights the following month.
The good news is that vintage Champagne is making a comeback on SIA Business Class later this week.
Piper-Heidsieck Brut Vintage 2014
From 6th January 2024, Business Class passengers on Singapore Airlines will find the Piper-Heidsieck Brut Vintage 2014 being poured on board.
While the airline was serving the 2012 vintage previously, remember that started over two years ago, and the pricing has therefore increased commensurately since then.
Piper-Heidsieck Brut Vintage 2014 currently retails in Singapore for S$100 on iShopChangi, or from the likes of Icon Wines, which is actually around 25% more than the 2012 was selling for two years ago.
Retail prices do not translate directly to contract purchase rates of course, with airlines like SIA enjoying large discounts for the quantities they order.
This Champagne, which is a blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay, picks up a very good rating of 4.2 on Vivino, certainly a notch above the Essentiel Cuvée Réservée Extra Brut it is replacing (which gets a 4.0 rating).
For the Champagne aficionados, tasting notes for this new variety are available here.
Here’s how Singapore Airlines describes the Champagne in its menus.
The Champagne certainly enjoys a swathe of positive reviews among the wine critics, as you can see summarised here.
It remains to be seen whether Singapore Airlines will also upgrade the Champagne offered in its SilverKris Business Class lounges at Changi Airport to this variety, or retain the (still very acceptable) Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel on the ground.
Which routes?
According to SIA’s Digital Menu System, which allows you to view the menu for your flight online up to eight days before departure, this vintage Champagne is being offered network-wide from 6th January 2024.
That means even on shorter regional flights like Bali, Phuket and Jakarta you can look forward to a vintage Champagne pour (or three!) when flying in Business Class.
This also applies to Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737-8 MAX services, as well as across the wide-body fleet.
Do note that Singapore Airlines does not offer Champagne in Business Class on its very shortest flights, which are those to and from:
- Kuala Lumpur
- Medan
- Penang
On these services, white wine and red wine are available, but sadly nothing in the bubbles department.
What’s the latest Champagne in First Class?
Singapore Airlines brought Krug Champagne back to its First Class cabin last month, with the fantastic 2004 vintage being poured over the Christmas season.
That’s now reverted to the Krug Grand Cuvée, which is being served alongside two vintage options – 2012 Tattinger Comtes de Champagne and 2007 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires.
| Singapore Airlines First Class and Suites Champagnes | ||
 2012 Tattinger Comtes de Champagne4.5 / 5 |
 N.V. Krug Grande Cuvée 4.6 / 5 |
 2007 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires 4.4 / 5 |
This trio is offered on all routes with a First Class or Suites cabin across the network – even on the airline’s 90-minute hops to and from Jakarta.
That will continue into February, with Singapore Airlines confirming to Mainly Miles the latest guest Champagne for the First Class and Suites cabins from next month.
Apart from Krug Grande Cuvée Champagne and 2012 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, our Suites and First Class customers will be able to enjoy the 2007 Blanc des Millenaires by Charles Heidsieck in January 2024, and the Extra Brut ‘VP’ Grand Cru by Champagne Egly-Ouriet in February 2024.
SIA Spokesperson
This will see the carrier swap out Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires for a non-vintage Egly-Ouriet V.P Extra Brut Grand Cru, served alongside Krug Grand Cuvée and 2012 Tattinger Comtes.
This one scores 4.4 on Vivino, and is due to be served until at least the end of February 2024, under the airline’s rotating guest Champagne programme “A Celebration of Champagne”, showcasing Grower and Artisanal Champagnes from smaller vineyards.
It’s great to see that Singapore Airlines is restoring a vintage Champagne to its Business Class cabin, and we’re particularly excited that this latest addition is effectively network-wide on the carrier’s routes from 6th January, including on regional flights.
In recent years SIA has served Taittinger Prélude Grands Crus, Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve, Laurent-Perrier Brut and Piper-Heidsieck Brut Vintage 2012 in its long-haul Business Class cabins, and this latest Piper-Heidsieck 2014 option pretty much matches up with the best among those.
While the Champagne option in any premium cabin is never “permanent” as such, especially in recent years where supply (for the right price at least) is increasingly challenging, we’re hoping this new addition will be sticking around for a while on SIA flights.
Meanwhile in First Class there’s the hardship of three Champagne options, two of which are vintage pours, including a rotating guest selection.
This will see the 2007 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires included in the lineup through to the end of January, after which there’s a taste of Egly-Ouriet V.P Extra Brut Grand Cru through to the end of February.
(Cover Photo: Piper-Heidsieck)
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