Champagne Charles Heidsieck

Champagne house in Reims, Montagne de Reims.

Village

Reims

Region

Montagne de Reims

Founded

1851

Cuvées in the guide

18

Charles Heidsieck is a champagne house in Reims, founded in 1851 by Charles-Camille Heidsieck. Since 2011 the house has been owned by the EPI Group and is part of the Union des Maisons de Champagne.

History

• Foundation: Charles-Camille Heidsieck founded the house in 1851, after having previously worked at Piper-Heidsieck. He was known as "Champagne Charlie" because of his successful expansion into the US.
• Innovation: In 1867 he decided that quality came from cellars and not only from vineyards. He bought historic chalk cellars (Crayères) dating from Roman times.
• Heritage: These underground galleries, more than 8 kilometres long and 30 metres deep, have been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015.
• Ownership: The house was for a long time in the hands of the Henriot family, then Rémy Cointreau (1985–2011), and since 2011 under the EPI group.

Vineyards and Terroir

• Area: The house owns and manages approximately 60 to 85 hectares of vineyards, spread over the Marne and Aube departments.
• Quality: A considerable proportion of these vineyards is classified as Grand Cru and Premier Cru.
• Sustainability: The vineyards are certified for Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne and bear the Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) label. Soil management includes grazing to avoid chemical weed control.

Approach

• Reserve wines: A distinctive element is the high percentage of reserve wines (on average 40%), which contributes to complexity and consistency.
• Ageing: The champagnes age for at least three years in the Crayères, where the constant temperature and humidity are ideal for the second fermentation.
• Vinification: Vinification takes place in a modern cuverie with stainless steel tanks. The Chef de Cave (currently Élise Losfelt) strives for a balance between freshness, complexity and elegance.

Champagnes (Cuvées)

• Blanc des Millénaires: The house's prestige cuvée. A Blanc de Blancs made from 100% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, with a long ageing period.
• Brut Réserve: The core cuvée, composed of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Renowned for its balance and high proportion of reserve wines.
• Rosé Réserve: A rosé champagne made by blending red and white wines, also with a significant proportion of reserve wines.
• Blanc de Blancs: An elegant, 100% Chardonnay champagne that emphasises the freshness and minerality of the terroir.
• Millésimé: Vintage releases (e.g. 2018) made exclusively from grapes of a specific year and aged on the lees.

Cuvées by Charles Heidsieck

Importers

Charles Heidsieck is imported by: Aarts Wijnen BV, Grythyttan Vintage Selection, Vindict, Wijnhandel Appeldoorn, Wijnkoperij Huub Oostendorp, Wijnkoperij Luuc van Boort.

Where it is sold

Shops and wholesalers carrying Charles Heidsieck: Arentz Wijnen (Wijnhandel Marcel Arentz), Bottle Hero, Cavissima, Christian Winecellars, Vindict, Vinify, Wijnenwereld, Wijnhandel Appeldoorn, Wijnkoperij Huub Oostendorp, Wijnkoperij Luuc van Boort.

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