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 Brut Réserve NV contains a blend of 40% reserve wines (with an average age of ten years) and spends a minimum of three years ageing on the lees: twice the length required for a non-vintage. To achieve the depth and complexity of the House style, Charles Heidsieck then age their non-vintage for a further three years after disgorgement, again much longer than the legal requirement of just fifteen months. Chef de Cave, Cyril Brut sees the reserve wines used in the blending in two categories. 5-10 years old are 'vin medicines' - 'doctor wines', added to the blend, they affect the acidity, whilst the older reserve wines, 10-20 years old are 'vins d'épices' - 'spice wines' added for complexity and intensity. It is this large proportion of mature reserve wines and the extra ageing process that makes Brut Réserve NV one of the world's best non-vintage champagnes - often compared in quality to the prestige cuvées of other producers.

The case contains:

Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV (Base 2008) 75cl
Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV (Base 2015) 75cl
Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV (Base 2013) 1.5L

Wine Competition Trophies:
The Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships 2016 - World Champion Classic Non-Vintage Brut Blend

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru | 60 Crus | Chardonnay: Oger | Pinot Noir: Ambonnay | Meunier: Verneuil
Grape Varieties: 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Meunier
Base Vintage: 2015
Reserve Wine: 40%
Ageing: 6 years on the lees
Disgorged: 2019
Dosage: 10 g/l
Cork: Mytik Diam Technological
Drink: Now to 2030

Tasting Note: Pale gold with fine and persistent bubbles, this has wonderfully complex aromas of ripe apricot and almond. On the palate it's extremely creamy, rich and fresh and also surprisingly nutty - likely a consequence of the age and high percentage of reserve wines. This is without doubt one of the best non-vintages around.

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.

On March 1, 2023, Elise Losfelt officially became the Cellar Manager of Charles-Heidsieck. She replaces Cyril Brun who joined Charles Heidsieck in April 2015 to succeed Thierry Roset. In 7 years Cyril has been part of the continuity of the great cellar masters of the House. Daniel Thibault, Régis Camus and Thierry Roset have, each in turn, perpetuated this style, holding the heart of the House in their hand. Elise Losfelt, 36, has been dedicated to champagne for 10 years, through various positions held at Moët & Chandon. She will carry the vision of the Charles style in the next blends, guaranteeing the unique typicity of the House's wines.

Cellar Master: Elise Losfelt
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.