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.
Bottles Available:
2 × 75cl - 49 from 13th Oct We keep some stock in our London Warehouse. Large volumes take 24 hours from our out of London warehouse.
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.
After the hype around its Vintage Brut 2008, Charles has revealed the latest version of its Rosé Vintage 2008, in a new bottle known as "Crayère". This champagne presents an excellent ageing potential, aged on the lees in Charles Heidsieck's Gallo Roman Crayères (chalk cellars) for more than ten years. It is made from a selection of around fifteen Crus throughout Champagne. The grapes which contribute the red wine content originate from Ambonnay, Bouzy, Hautvillers, Les Riceys and Verzenay. The delicate effervescence reveals the aromatic complexity of this blended rosé which is famed for its incredible harmony and depth.
Weather: 2008 was dominated by grey, overcast skies – an exception in a decade characterized by bold, generous sunshine. Spring and summer brought the same lack of sunlight and absence of high temperatures. It was September that saved the vintage, belatedly and miraculously. Just when the harvest was getting underway (on September 15), the weather conditions were finally perfect: blue skies and prolonged north-northeasterly winds. Picking was spread out over a long period in order to benefit from this positive turn of events. The grapes were riper than anyone dared hope, and had truly outstanding balance. The vines were in perfect health.
Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru | 15 Crus | Chardonnay: Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Vertus | Pinot Noir: Ambonnay, Avenay, Aÿ, Tauxières
Grape Varieties: 63% Pinot Noir, 37% Chardonnay | inc. 9% Red Wine
Ageing: 10 years on the lees
Disgorged: January 2021
Dosage: 7 g/l
Drink: Now to 2030
Tasting Note: Saline and mineral underlined by toasted aromas and notes of blood orange and red currant. This long awaited Rosé already displays all the elegance and finesse of an outstanding vintage.
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
94/100
Tom Hewson
“The absolute quality of this vintage is only just starting to make itself clear, although it is not one for the immediate hedonists - a steely, long-distance stare of a rosé...63% Pinot Noir, 37% Chardonnay. I have to freely admit that I wondered whether this wine would prove too austere when I first tasted it in 2021. Retasting in summer 2022, though, that austerity has morphed into an exciting tension that promises much for the future, the reductive tightness eased open a little. Still, it's no casual rosé this, super compressed and steely with red and orange citrus intensity, around which fragrant blackberry, allspice and dried apple notes tempt you in. It may end up in a sweet spot a little earlier than imagined; worth waiting five years for some exciting flavour development.”
94 → 96/100
Essi Avellan MW
“Launched some two years after its white sibling, Charles Heidsieck Rosé Millésime 2008 greets you with instant Charles charm. The typical, heavenly ground coffee note is there but it remains coolly reserved with crunchy fruit profile that still holds back a lot. Peach, blood orange and lemon peel with a spicy twist. A rosé d’assemblage with 9% red wine, half from Les Riceys, half from Montagne de Reims, it is elegant, focused, even tight for the time being. The palate finishes very dry with the lowest-ever dosage for Charles, 7g/l, bringing a gastronomic, phenolic bite to the fore. In its breezy lightness and vivacious style it differs greatly from the previous releases but promises to be a slowly ageing keeper. Only a tiny volume was produced and regrettably no magnums, soo ne better move fast with this one. ”
95/100
Essi Avellan MW
“This age-defying rosé is a blend of 15 crus, with villages such as Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Vertus, Ambonnay, Avenay, Aÿ and Tauxières all playing a part. The wine has received its developing pale peach colour from the 9% addition of Les Riceys and Montagne de Reims Pinot Noir. There is plenty of hidden power on the tight nose, which first releases super-fine toasty nuances of the mocha and bonfire kind. The fruitiness is crunchy and cool, with fresh berries meeting red and yellow apples, peach and apricot. The palate is tight and linear, with plenty of tension enhancing the sense of dynamism. Even if prickly from its bubbles, the texture is super-smooth and silky, leading to a long, purely fruity finish. The low dosage (by Charles standards) enhances the feeling of bright radiance. Disgorged 2021; dosage 7g/l”
96/100
Andy Howard MW
“Elaborated with 63% Pinot Noir (including 9% of red wine) and 37% Chardonnay, this rosé from Charles Heidsieck is sourced from 11 grands and premiers crus. With a much lower dosage than in previous years (7g/L), it has a spicy and smoky nose with pomegranate, citrus, liquorice and red berry aromas. Harmonious and elegant, the palate is full-bodied with both tense and fresh texture interplays, with a vinous structure. A gastronomic rosé built for long ageing. ”
92+/100
William Kelley
“The newly released 2008 Brut Rosé unwinds in the glass with youthfully reticent notes of tart red berries, white flowers and citrus oil, framed by a touch of light reduction—which I suspect is accentuated by the wine's Diamant closure. Following the wine in my office, it was only on the third day that hints of plums and licorice began to emerge. Medium to full-bodied, taut and chiseled, it's concentrated and layered, with real cut and energy, but it's also borderline austere and will require patience to realize all its potential. When compared with the rich, demonstrative 2006, it was to be expected that the 2008 would represent a change of pace; but the contrast is even starker than I would have expected.”
98/100
Claire Nesbitt
“An amazing 2008 rosé Champagne that has all the structure and aromatic complexity - sushi ginger, oolong tea and caramelised mandarin orange - we associate with this vintage, but also has more charm than most. On the palate, this has stunning concentration, yet is diamond bright. The interplay of creaminess, fine tannins and mineral acidity builds and builds at the breathtaking finish. The colour comes from about 7% pinot noir red wine, partly from the little-known Les Riceys in the far south of Champagne.”
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.
