Charles Heidsieck: The iconic Champagne Charlie
The foundation of a fine Champagne House
In 1851, at the age of 29, Charles-Camille Heidsieck founded his own Champagne House. This business-savvy, passionate and pragmatic entrepreneur learned all about the various winemaking and aging techniques and acquired forty-seven chalk pits dating from the 3rd century. This labyrinthine underground cellar provides an ideal humidity and enables the wines to age beautifully and deepen their expression. The chalk cellars were listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2015. This vineyard is completed with supplies from meticulously selected and trusted vine growers and cooperatives. In 1987, Charles Heidsieck was the first Champagne house to indicate its “cellaring” year to follow the evolution of the wine over time.
A journey across the Atlantic
Following the foundation of the eponymous Champagne house, Charles Heidsieck embarked on a journey to the United States. He was eager to expand the champagne market further. The challenge was great, as no other champagne house had ever conquered the other side of the Atlantic. The members of the upper classes in New York City and in the South, led by Louisiana, were seduced by this charming ambassador of the French way of life and the art of champagne, who was soon dubbed "Champagne Charlie". His charisma, knack for business, elegance and boldness led him to become a prominent figure. Charles Heidsieck was one of the first champagne producers to export its sparkling wine successfully.
Expertise and a love for champagne making
In the vineyards
The Charles Heidsieck champagne house reigns over 85 hectares of vines, in the Marne and Aube areas. Eager to protect the majestic and natural beauty of the Champagne region, the Charles Heidsieck teams have been applying sustainable viticultural practices to their vineyards. Since 2015, the champagne house has boasted a Sustainable Viticulture label and a High Environmental Value certification. Following 28 months of tireless work from the Charles Heidsieck teams, the house was bestowed a B Corp certificate in 2022.
Charles Heidseick, illustrious Cellar Masters
Charles Heidsieck's winemaking philosophy continues to inspire champagne lovers from all over the world. The champagne house has worked with a plethora of talented Cellar Masters who are among the most renowned in the Champagne region. The prestigious and rigorous London International Wine Challenge named the house as the "Best Sparkling Winemaker of the Year‘’ on 12 different occasions within the last 2 decades.
Cyril Brun has worked alongside the finest Cellar Masters for over 7 years. The Charles Heidsieck house witnessed significant growth with him at the helm. Brun gave a new lease of life to the iconic Champagne Charlie blend. Succeeding Cyril Brun, Elise Losfelt took over from Brun as Cellar Master and is currently producing Champagnes that express the house's iconic style. In order to perpetuate the house's age-old excellence and to create a perfect harmony between the different wines, the grapes are vinified in separate vats. The three varieties used are Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the traditional Champagne grape varieties.
An exquisite portfolio
The champagnes of Charles Heidsieck are well-balanced and elegant and reflect the teams' abundant passion.
Brut Reserve
This multi-vintage champagne, comprising a blend of 60 crus, is made up of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay and boasts an impressive aging potential. The blend is made up of a large proportion of 10-year-old reserve wines, around 40%. A deep golden color in the glass, notes of brioche fill the nose. Mango, apricot and notes of nuts caress the palate.
Brut Vintage
The champagnes are aged for 3 to 15 years in chalk cellars, while the appellation sets the aging threshold at 15 months for non-vintage wines. Year in, year out, this vintage champagne beautifully translates the weather conditions of each unique winemaking year. The blend is exclusively made up of Premiers and Grands crus and ages for 1 decade before being released. The malolactic fermentation gives the wine its remarkably round style.
Champagne Charlie
To mark the 200th anniversary of Charles Heidsieck's birth, Cyril Brun, the Cellar Master at the time, wished to pay tribute to this avant-garde and influential man. The base wine of this champagne stems from the 2016 harvest. Supplemented by 80% reserve wines, the oldest wine is 25 years old. This champagne reveals the boundless expertise of the Cellar Master and epitomizes the Charles Heidsieck style.
Coteaux Champenois
Made up entirely of Pinot Noir, this red wine stems from the ''Les Champsots'' plot located in the heart of the Ambonnay. This limited-edition still red wine showcases the beauty of an emblematic Grand Cru.
Food and champagne pairing
Served at the finest dinner parties, these fine champagnes have always paired beautifully with food. Pair these versatile sparkling wines with fish dishes (tempura, monkfish) and enjoy a delicious tasting experience.
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