Average rating 4.9/5 stars across all Google and external reviews
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Bought directly from Charles Heidsieck's UK agent Liberty Wines, the bottles are stored in bond at London City Bond Eton Park, in ideal conditions at a constant 13°C. For same-day deliveries, small quantities are kept in our office cellar, where the temperature is maintained between 11–13°C. We source all our bottles directly from the Maison or their official UK office, eliminating the risk of poor storage. This is crucial, as champagne quality is highly sensitive to heat: temperatures above 18°C accelerate maturity significantly, which compromises quality.
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.
Champagne Charlie was reborn in 2022 paying homage to the original spirit of the cuvee so this is the second revival using one of the Maison's most valuable treasures, a 1996 Chardonnay reserve wine from the Grand Cru village of Cramant. This release of the cuvee marks a blend of 66% Chardonnay and 34% Pinot Noir with a base vintage of 2019 making up 45% of the blend. The other of 55% is reserve wines, one of the Maison’s most valuable treasures: a 1996 Chardonnay reserve wine from the Grand Cru village of Cramant and a 2009 Chardonnay reserve wine from the Grand Cru village of Avize. The releases are very limited quantities and a perfect chance to buy and enjoy champagne with age in its very best condition; just 8000 bottles have been released.
Daniel Thibault joined CH in 1976 brought in by Joseph Henriot who purchased the company in 1976, Daniel was quick to work on a plan to create Champagne Charlie as a tribute to founder and introduce a "prestige cuvee" into the Charles Heidsieck portfolio. With a long experience shaping the Charles’ signature wine style, Thibault followed his instinct to undertake what would be one of the most resounding successes in his winemaking career - the creation of the five editions of Champagne Charlie - 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1985 to this day the champagnes if stored well are in remarkable condition.
Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru
Grape Varieties: 66% Chardonnay & 34% Pinot Noir
Lees Ageing: 4 years
Base vintage: 2019 (Bouzy & Vertus)
Reserve wines: 55% from 2009 back to 1996 (Avize & Cramant)
Bottling date: 2020
Disgorged: November 2024
Dosage: 8 g/l
Production: 8,000 Bottles
Drink: Now to 2034
Tasting Note: Aromas of cacao and dark chocolate, underscored by delicate pastry nuances. A medley of fresh and candied yellow fruits — apricot, quetsche plum and peach. Black fruit notes, including blackcurrant and blackberry, lend further depth and dimension. Floral hints of peony and vanilla blossom, interwoven with accents of liquorice, exotic spices, and a subtle touch of Espelette pepper. On the palate, a rich, creamy texture that reveals the firm structure of this bold wine. The finish lingers elegantly, offering nuances of liquorice and bitter orange, subtly enhanced by a delicate whisper of oak.
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 1976 the hugely under-forming Charles business was bought by Joseph Henriot of Champagne Henriot, the same year he installed his chef de cave, Daniel Thibault who within three years had created Champagne Charlie with in inaugural 1979 vintage, followed by 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1985. For nine years Charles Heidseick thrived again, however, in 1985 Rémy Cointreau, purchased Charles and during the next 25 years the focus was shifted away from prestige cuvee champagne because Krug was also in the same ownership. It took until 2011 before Charles was again loved, when Charles Heidsieck and Piper-Heidsieck were bought by Christopher Descours of EPI Group. His vision saw investment for growth in vineyard holdings, grape purchasing and production. After decades of decline the brands are again growing with quality now back at the top of their agenda. Today, the wines are made alongside sister company Piper-Heidsieck in an ultra-modern wine-making facility on the 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: Emilien Erard
Winery Location: Reims | Champagne, France
Champagne Region: Montagne de Reims
Annual Production (bottles): 1,800,000
Chef de Cave History at Champagne Charles Heidsieck:
Emilien Erard - 1st July 2025 to current
Emilien Erard is an accomplished oenologist with a deep-rooted passion for Champagne. A key figure within the EPI group since 2018, he joined as head of tank room in the joint Charles & Piper winery. In 2022, he was appointed to manage the wineries own vineyards and Vineyard Relations Manager to over see their many grape growers. Emilien’s career also includes significant experience at Champagne Ayala and Palmer & Co
Elise Losfelt - March 2023 to June 2025
Arriving in March 2023, Elise Losfelt had joined the house of Charles Heidsieck in Reims after more than ten years at Moet and Chandon, alongside Benoît Gouez. Her appointment marked an important milestone in the history of Charles Heidsieck, following the departure of Cyril Brun, who she worked alongside on the 2022 wines to ensure a smooth transition in the house style. After the tragic loss of her husband in 2024 Elise has decided to move back closer to her family in the south of France and joins the family winery in Montpellier in summer 2025.
Cyril Brun - April 2015 to April 2023
Cyril re-engineered & re-launched Champagne Charlie some 37 years after its initial launch and shifted the blend of Brut Reserve to using a touch of oak which allowed CH to continue with its growth plans. In 2023 Cyril moved to Trentino in Italy taking over as chef de cave at Ferrari Trento
Thierry Roset - 2011 to 2014
Recruited by Daniel Thibault in 1988 as his deputy and in 2003 after Daniel passed away he became a full time member of Regis's winemaking team leading to him creating the “new Charles style” from 2007. His last "big task" was to oversee the smooth transition in winemaking when ownership shifted from Remy Cointreau to the EPI Group. Previously he had also worked for both Moet & Chandon and Louis Roederer. He died suddenly on 5th October 2014.
Regis Camus - Chef de Cave 2002 to 2011
Regis began at Charles Heidsieck in 1995 where he was assistant to Daniel Thibault and won 8-times "Sparkling Winemaker of the Year" 2004, 2007-2013 International Wine Challenge. After Daniel died in 2002 Regis was promoted to manage all the winemaking team for all three brands; Piper, Rare and Charles. From 2013 Regis focussed his time on Champagne Piper-Heidsieck and Rare.
Daniel Thibault - 1975 to 2002
Daniel came to Charles Heidseick when Joseph Henriot of Champagne Henriot purchased it in 1976. He was chef de cave at Henriot until Joseph brought him across to Charles Heidsieck shortly after buying the Maison. He set hard to work because within three years he had created Champagne Charlie with the inaugural 1979 vintage followed by 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1985. He also created the Blanc de Millenaires Blanc de Blanc prestige cuvee with the first release of 1983. By mid 1980's he created the "mis en cave" labelling concept & introduced 40% reserve wines as being "a new average!" Much of what we see today with Collection Crayeres, the recent releases of old vintages of the 80's and 90's give us a glimpse into the genius of this man; champagnes that are gorgeous four to five decades after the harvest. Daniel passed away from cancer in 2002.
Expert Reviews
19/20
Nick Baker TFB Founder
“This is the second release of the newly revived Champagne Charlie Cuvee with 45% from 2019, the Chardonnay 23% from Vertus and 34% Pinot Noir from Bouzy, this shows the elegance of the year, fairly warm, but with cooler night time temperatures promoting ripe fruit character with underlying freshness. With 66% chardonnay its more on the smoky reductive side and delicious yellow fruits, lots of grapefruit, lemon, lime and charred pineapple and a distinct bitter orange core. The palate is where you notice the 55% reserves, there is more of that rich texture coming forward with two notable contributors; 11% Cramant and 20% Avize. A very elegant fine bubble and light fluffy texture is very appealing, concentration yet super lightness.”
17++/20
Jancis Robinson MW
“Full bottle 1,703 g. Labelled 'Cellared in 2020'. Mostly from the 2019 vintage with 45% reserve wines. A blend of 66% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir made up of 32% Bouzy 2019, 23% Vertus 2019, 20% Avize 2009 and 11% Cramant 1996 plus others presumably. Disgorged 2024. Dosage 8 g/l. (The magnum version will see 7 g/l and will be aged for at least 20 years.) 'If Blanc de Millenaires is the salt of the house, Champagne Charlie is the pepper', according to current chef de cave Elise Losfelt. This wine was created by her predecessor Cyril Brun, who also created the 'Cellared in 2017' cuvée. Pale greenish straw colour. Complex nose but still with very youthful zest and a hint of lime. Lots going on underneath. I'd cellar this glamorous, creamy blend for a while.”
Ever wondered what makes a good vintage and which years were the best in Champagne? This is the Champagne Vintage Guide, their overall ratings according to Essi Avellan MW and the best releases of the Vintage year.
Charles Heidsieck Champagne is celebrating the art of outdoor dining and its exquisite Blanc de Blancs champagne with an exclusive luxury picnic hamper
"The wines in 2018 were good overall. Some were exceptional... some over-mature." Charles Heidsieck Chef de Cave, Cyril Brun, was slightly more cautious than other winemakers regarding the potential of 2018. We tasted a range of vins clairs and reserve wines with the always engaging winemaker at the cellars in Reims.
A 'Champagne Charlie' in another life himself, wine journalist David Kermode attended our Charles Heidsieck Dinner and Tasting at Frederick's last week to sample a range of new and old vintages from this reformed house. Read his report for The Buyer here.
This week, Director of Charles Heidsieck Stephen Leroux hosted our Charles Heidsieck Dinner and Tasting at Frederick's, Islington. With an expertly paired champagne/food menu and a rare magnum of Brut Millésime 1983 to taste, it was a night to remember.
We met with Charles Heidsieck Cellar Master Cyril Brun at the newly renovated tasting facility in Reims. An incredible tasting included a Blanc des Millénaires vertical and a preview of the new 'Collection Crayères', dating back to 1981.
