Charles Heidsieck Champagne
If all those who have one day tasted Champagne Charles Heidsieck have remained faithful to the House, there must be a good reason. Charles Heidsieck's wines are the result of a sum of many expectations - thus making them true masterpieces for the enlightened amateurs. From the very start, Charles Heidsieck wines managed to seduce the royal courts of Europe and the great patrons of the times.
Today, the House's wines are awarded the greatest prizes by professional juries across the world. The winemaking team has been awarded the "Winemaker of the Year" trophy seven times by the UK International Wine Challenge. Each year, the Houses's position is thus strenghtened in the world of professionals and connoisseurs alike by the highest distinctions.
Over the decades, without making a fuss, relying on nothing but its exceptional quality, Charles Heidsieck has consolidated its position as the champagne for "those who know".
Charles-Camille Heidsieck: a passion for the exceptionnal
1851: the enterprising young man creates the Champagne House which will bear his name. He sets the highest standards in grape selection and improves the production methods of the age. He buys chalk quarries in Reims, where his wines will mature in perfect conditions.
This tireless self-promoter is soon drawn to America in 1852, he is one of the very first champagne producers to make the trip to New York. His success is immediate. Charles-Camille Heidsieck will make several trips to America and become a well regarded and appreciated figure of American social life, earning himself the nick-name of "Champagne Charlie".
While travelling in the South during the Civil War, he is the victim of diplomatic incident and spends several months in jail, displaying great fortitude in difficult circumstances. Having returned to Reims, he devotes all his energies to the consolidation of the House's position by further improving the quality and harmony of its wines.
From the very beginning, Charles Heidsieck gained the respect of professionals and amateurs. Founded in 1851, the House and its wines earned their first medals during the Universal Exhibition of 1859. The Emperor Napoleon III himself was prone to drinking the Maison's champagne, showing a preference for the "high style very dry" which had traditionally been made for the British market.
After Charles-Camille Heidsieck's voyage to Russia in 1864, the Tsar's entourage particularly appreciated his champagne and the labels on the champagne bottles soon carried a caption written in Cyrillic which read "specially chosen for Russia".Charles Heidsieck: without a doubt, one of the most prized champagnes in the world
Expression |
A.B.V. |
Nosing / Tasting |
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Champagne Charles Heidsieck
Brut Réserve |
12% |
Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve On the eye:A radiant, sustained and very luminous pale golden hue with fine and graceful bubbles.
Nose:A first nose of pastry with notes of cocoa, pralin and fresh almonds, a delicious sensation half-way between richness, voluptuousness and subtlety that recalls tiramisu, candied fruits and paris-brest with its hazelnut tender cream.
Fresh notes of aromatic herbs just picked such as dill or tarragon enhance the pastry impression. |
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 Champagne Charles Heidsieck Rosé Réserve |
12% |
To the eye:
A tint of English roses and cherry blossoms illuminate a strand
Nose:Harmoniously bucolic, the first fruity notions of grapefruit
and wild strawberries enrich notes of fresh tobacco, cinnamon
and liquorice stick. The final note is truly gourmande, evoking
vanilla as well as the frothy nature of homemade jam. |
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 Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Vintage 2000 |
12% |
To the eye An elegant and precious golden hue with scintillating reflections of rye straw. A magical effervescence.
Nose:The quintessence of elegance and complexity.
The first impression is one of mineral notes that evoke sea
bream, oysters and caviar. This is followed by the delicate
warmth of plum brandy, that leads on to Mediterranean fruits
such as candied apricots and dates. The finish is perfumed
with acacia honey and evergreen.
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 Champagne Charles Heidsieck Rosé Vintage 1999 |
12% |
To the eye: A coral-like robe, with subtle orange reflections reminiscent of antique roses. A joyful sparkle
Nose:The finesse and the elegance of the vintage first express themselves through notes of freshly picked strawberries, gradually becoming more intense with hints of mild pepper, vanilla pods and sandalwood. The sheer breadth of the floral element evokes a shower of rose petals
Taste:A vivacious start, full of red fruit aromas – strawberries,
raspberriesand red-currants – and some generous floral notes. The texture has the silky-rich smoothness of a pomegranate
or hibiscus syrup. Harmonious finale. |
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 Champagne Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires Vintage 1995 |
12% |
To the eye: The pale colour of gold is illuminated with lighter pale-green hues. The generous effervescence is enhanced by a brilliant sparkle.
Nose:The bouquet is perfectly balanced between elegance and
richness, the elegance expressed in notes of foliage such as fern,
tea and linden, and the richness in floral aromas including
jasmine, honeysuckle and narcissus.
The finish is on pastry aromas, expressing amplitude with buttery
Taste:A sensation of mature freshness stands out from the texture
of this wine. Initial silky notes of candied apricot and quince
lead to smooth textures of dried fruits, hazelnuts and almonds,
with the structure developing notes of greengages and black tea.
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