The Best Champagne You’ve Never Heard Of appeared first on OLENA.
– Do you know Charles Heidsieck?
– The man or the champagne?
– It doesn’t matter. The two are inseparable!
The name “Heidsieck” might be familiar thanks to Charles’s better known sister, Piper, and her American cousin, Piper Sonoma, but the Charlie version of Heidsieck, the Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV, is the far more interesting of the two, and a far more interesting story.
Founded by Charles Camille Heidsieck in 1851 it became, in the prosperous years of American industrialization following the Civil War, America’s most popular Champagne, and the ultimate symbol of plutocratic excess. This was due to the nuclear powered salesmanship and out-sized personality of said Charles. Relentless in the promotion of his fizz, he became a favorite of the press and a major celebrity, acquiring the sobriquet Champagne Charlie in the process.
Photo: Charles Heidsieck
These days though his fizz is not nearly as prominent as it once was.
Heidsieck don’t release numbers but my guess is that production of Charles is only a fraction of Piper, and that’s as it should be – Piper is a pleasant every-day Champagne, Charles is special.
While Piper is pretty, light and approachable, Charles Heidsieck shines on an altogether different level. It’s got a bigger, more meaty presence, and is fuller in the mouth. It’s a grown-up, connoisseur’s Champagne.
This is due to the high proportion, 40%, of reserve wines – that’s wines from older vintages – in the blend, and longer, 36 months, sur lees aging than is normal for a non-vintage Champagne. It boasts a rich mélange of toasted almonds, ripe pears, tangerines and fresh baked bread, the sort of deep, layered complexity one usually only encounters in well-aged vintage Champagne.
I’ve served the two cuvées side by side at informal tastings, and while most people prefer Piper, those who really know their wine opt for Charles.
What You Should Know about Champagne Charles Heidsieck
Rating: *****
When To Drink: Now and for the next few years.
Breathing/Decanting: Not necessary.
Food Pairing: Smoked salmon, lighter fish.
Grapes: One third each of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meurnier and Chardonnay.
Appellation: Champagne
Region: Champagne
Country: France
Price: $70
Availability: Good
Website: charlesheidsieck.com/en
Cover photo: vinbanken.se