Of the three Champagne houses named Heidsieck - all originating from families once related - Charles is the smallest and arguably, the best. Established in 1851 by the nephew of Piper-Heidsieck's owner, Charles Heidsieck himself was the original 'Champagne Charlie'. In 2011 both Charles Heidsieck and Piper-Heidsieck were bought by EPI Group headed by Christopher Descours, he has provided significant finance for both Houses allowing them to grow their vineyard holdings, grape purchasing and production. Today, production occurs alongside sister company Piper-Heidsieck in an ultra-modern functional wine-making facility on the southern outskirts of Reims. The Charles Heidsieck Cellars are a Unesco World Heritage site and comprise more than eight kilometres of chalk tunnels interlinking forty seven subterranean cathedrals called Crayères, reaching 30 metres high and believed to have been dug out in the 3rd century.

Charles Heidsieck was one of the very first Champagne Houses to demonstrate its passion for Chardonnay by producing a Blanc de Blancs in its 1949 vintage. Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs, relaunched in 2018, combining Charles Heidsieck's area of expertise; Blending a large selection of wines from different years and the production of great white wines.

News Article: Read more about Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs NV in our review of the launch event here.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru | Chardonnay: Côte des Blancs (Oger, Vertus) Montagne de Reims (Marmery, Trépail, Vaudemange) & Aube (Montgueux)
Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Base Vintage: 2012
Reserve Wine: 20%
Ageing: Over 4 years on the lees
Disgorged: November 2017
Dosage: 10 g/l
Cork: Mytik Diam Technological
Drink: Now to 2026

Tasting Note: A pale golden with a fine steam of bubbles. Aromas of peach, candied citrus with hints on lime, giving way to a freshness and tautness on the palate with tangerine and lemon on the mid palate. A finish of elegance and length, typical of the Charles Heidsieck style.

Of the three Champagne houses named Heidsieck - all originating from families once related - Charles is the smallest and arguably, the best. Established in 1851 by the nephew of Piper-Heidsieck's owner, Charles Heidsieck himself was the original 'Champagne Charlie'. He gained the nickname during his travels around America in the mid-19th Century - a country whose introduction to Champagne is credited to Charles. In 2011 both Charles Heidsieck and Piper-Heidsieck were bought by EPI Group headed by Christopher Descours, he has provided significant finance for both Houses allowing them to grow their vineyard holdings, grape purchasing and production. The brands are now growing their sales quite fast after many decades of decline. Today, production occurs alongside sister company Piper-Heidsieck in an ultra-modern functional wine-making facility on the southern outskirts of Reims.

Charles Heidsieck champagnes have a rich history of being served at various infamous events; it was the chosen Champagne of the European royalty in the late 1800s; a photograph from Robert Falcon Scott's fated expedition to Antarctica shows the party drinking Charles Heidsieck at their Christmas dinner; in 1977 the house produced a special vintage for the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and in 1981 a 'Royal Wedding Cuvée' was served to celebrate the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

Cellar Master: Cyril Brun
Winery Location: Reims | Champagne, France
Champagne Region: Montagne de Reims
Annual Production (bottles): 1,800,000

Suitable for Vegans - no animal derivatives are used in the making of Charles Heidsieck Champagnes.