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 Rose NV is created from 80% of the year's wines, composed of equal portions of Meunier, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, while the 20% of reserve wines are made up of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay. Each are vinified cru by cru, varietal by varietal, in stainless steel vats. To ensure the ideal balance of freshness and elegance on one hand and structure and complexity on the other, the Cellar Master bides by a House principle, intentionally selecting reserve wines that are younger than those of the Brut Reserve. The red reserve wines, from leading Pinot Noir terroirs, date from up to 5 years before the last harvest. Just 5% of red wine is added to bring the colour and a tiny hint of red wine fruit character.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru | 60 Crus | Chardonnay: Oger | Pinot Noir: Ambonnay | Meunier: Verneuil
Grape Varieties: 36% Chardonnay, 36% Pinot Noir, 28% Meunier
Reserve Wine: 20%
Red Wine: 5%
Base Vintage: 2012
Lees Ageing: 6 years
Dosage: 10 g/l

Cork: Mytik Diam Technological
Drink: Now to 2030

Tasting Note: A powdery pink with luminous glints of rose. A subtle, yet complex nose reveals initial fragrances of strawberries mixed with peaches and warm notes of gingerbread. A deep mouthfeel bursting with raspberry and blackberry. A superb NV Rose!

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.