Charles Heidsieck

Heidsieck was born into a wine-making family, eventually founded the house and giving it his own namesake. He began selling his champagne abroad, and was the first merchant to market his wines in the US. It was here that he built his social reputation, with a New York paper beginning to describe him as ‘Champagne Charlie’. Charles was a confirmed traveller and free-spirited, smooth-talking gentleman entrepreneur, focused on his champagne business. His elegant eloquence is much admired. His impetuosity is impressive. His champagnes embody his personality: emblematic and unique.

He visited the US on several occasions, and was actually trapped there in the midst of the Civil War conflict. This led to his arrest on suspicion of being a spy, and he was imprisoned in Fort Jackson. He was released following the intercession of Abraham Lincoln, and he fled back to France bankrupt. His debts were later repaid, and thus the business was saved. His showmanship, and the undisputable quality of his wines culminated in royal warrants from several royal families at the time.

In 1867 Charles Heidsieck purchased the Crayères, a series of 3^rd Century cellars, veritable subterranean cathedrals. The cuvees produced at Charles Heidsieck mature within the 47 white chalk chambers 30 metres underground. These 2000 year old Gallo-Roman cellars are UNESCO listed, and they certainly add depth and flair to the wines. This is the hallmark of the house’s champagnes.

More recently, Charles Heidsieck has won countless accolades year after year. This success is attributed to the talented winemakers responsible for crafting these cuvees over the past 3 decades. Between them, Daniel Thibault, Regis Camus, Thierry Roset and Cyril Brun were awarded ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ 16 times. When no other house has ever won more than twice.

Charles Heidsieck

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