‘– Do you know Charles Heidsieck?
– The man or the champagne?
– It doesn’t matter. The two are inseparable!’
Charles is gripped by wanderlust. He is a forthright dandy - and dedicated to his champagne. His eloquence commands admiration. His passion is captivating. His exceptional champagnes reflect his personality: iconic and unique.
For him, no challenge is too great, no border too remote.
His dreams still hold true today.
Discover Charles Heidsieck. Learn about the man, his champagne, his charm as well as the subtleties of his wine’s character and aromas. Charles-Camille Heidsieck is born in 1822, 37 years after his great uncle founded the Champagne House Heidsieck & Co.
Growing up in the midst of the vineyards, young Charles was nourished by the love of his mother, Émilie Henriot, and his sisters, and raised in an environment shaped by Reims traditions and Prussian rigour.
A cultivated man, noted for his integrity and elegance – but not lacking in ambition. Contrary to all expectations, Charles does not hesitate to take control of his destiny… In 1851, a 29 year-old Charles tempts fate and founds a champagne house that is a true reflection of his character.
‘The vineyards must remain in the hands of the growers and their expertise’.
Charles chooses to leave the vineyards in the hands of those who know them best, nurturing their talent, their knowledge and their respect for the terroir.
A pragmatist, he decides to concentrate on producing and ageing wine, and purchases forty-seven Chalk cellars dating from the 11th century. This labyrinth of underground alcoves and galleries offers ideal conditions for ageing and enhancing his wines. His intuition will be rewarded.
Driven by confidence and instinct, Charles ensures his wine reflects his personality, going so far as to give it his first name. This decision causes quite a stir in Champagne.
However, it is not enough for this cosmopolitan creator… he craves a wider audience for his exceptional wines – the world awaits. In 1852, trusting his intuition, Charles leaves for America, the promised land still untouched by the champagne trade. If there is to be champagne in America, it will be his and no other.
A charismatic dandy, popular with the powerful and the press. An undeniable icon, perceived as an ambassador for champagne and France, Charles seduces New York society and its business bourgeoisie. Furthermore, he wins over the South, including wild Louisiana. He becomes known as ‘Champagne Charlie’.
On returning to Europe, he turns his attention first to Belgium and then England. Lauded and decorated at the Universal Exhibitions, his labels soon start to sparkle in all the royal courts. If Europe and the United States have succumbed to the charm of his fine bubbles, a greater conquest still awaits. Having gained territorial control, he must now conquer time and continue to produce exceptional wines year after year, century after century! A challenge for which he is more than a match.
