The house of Charles Heidsieck is based in Reims. It is the smallest of the Grand Marque houses, but has a fabulous reputation for the quality of its Champagnes; Charles Heidsieck winemakers have scooped the ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ award at the International Wine Challenge sixteen times over the last thirty years. No other house has managed that more than twice.

Charles-Camille Heidsieck was the original Champagne Charlie. He got that nickname for selling 25,000 cases of Champagne to American high society at the outset of the American Civil War - he is widely thought of as the man who did more than any other to popularise Champagne in the United States. He also got himself thrown in prison on suspicion of being a spy (which caused a diplomatic incident with France), but after inheriting a third of Denver he had enough money in his pocket to formally found (technically re-found) Champagne Charles Heidsieck. Since those wild early days Charles Heidsieck has matured into one of the most respected houses in Reims. (27/03/25)