Charles Heidsieck: The return of Champagne Charlie

To celebrate the bicentenary of its founder, Charles Heidsieck has released a very special new edition of its historic cuvée, Champagne Charlie

Food and Drink 5 Jul 2022

The new Champagne Charlie from Charles Heidsieck

The new Champagne Charlie from Charles Heidsieck

For the first time in 37 years, Charles Heidsieck has released a new edition of its legendary cuvée, Champagne Charlie. The champagne is named for the winemaker’s legendary founder, the original Champagne Charlie, born in 1822 and who, in 1852, was one of the first champagne producers to bring his wines to the USA. Through his repeated visits to the USA, he changed the champagne market by turning Americans on to his sparkling wines. In return, he was given the nickname “Champagne Charlie”. From this time on, Charles Heidsieck champagnes have been synonymous with absolute dedication to quality and a spirit of exuberance.

The new Champagne Charlie is the first from Charles Heidsieck in 37 years
The new Champagne Charlie is the first from Charles Heidsieck in 37 years

As Charles Heidsieck managing director Stephen Leroux explains: ‘We are reconnecting with a tradition. By confirming our decision to make the “Charles spirit” and Charlie’s passion the essence of the House, we are recreating our crown jewel. We will produce only a very limited quantity of bottles for the first issue of this new release, which is, in fact, a rebirth. It will be available only through a very select network of distributors.’

There have been five editions of Champagne Charlie – in 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1985, each created by then cellarmaster Daniel Thibault. Charles Heidsieck cellarmaster Cyril Brun took these five cuvées as inspiration and blended reserve wines to create the new multi-vintage champagne that clearly and deftly references the flavour and qualities of its predecessor. As Brun says: ‘For this new edition of Charlie, I took my inspiration from previous editions, tasting each of the past releases to reconnect with the initial creation. My first impression was overwhelmingly that the freshness and aromatic intensity and silky, saline finish could be systematically found in all the wines, as if these qualities transcended the effect of vintage. It was the key.’

A very special cuvée: Charles Heidsieck's Champagne Charlie
A very special cuvée: Charles Heidsieck’s Champagne Charlie

The new Champagne Charlie was cellared in 2017 and is crafted from 80 per cent reserve wines, with some aged on lees for up to 25 years, and 20 per cent from Charles Heidsieck’s 2016 vintage. It combines 52 per cent chardonnay and 48 per cent pinot noir to create a golden champagne that is rich in citrus, sweet yellow fruits, a fresh minerality and sultry mouth feel.

Champagne Charlie is available from hedonism.co.uk and thefinestbubble.com, priced at £550. For those who would prefer to raise a glass, The Ritz will exclusively be serving Cuvée Champagne Charlie by the glass for £75.

charlesheidsieck.com