Home Industry News Releases Champagne Charles Heidsieck Releases “La Collection Crayères”: An Oenothèque Program for the...

Champagne Charles Heidsieck Releases “La Collection Crayères”: An Oenothèque Program for the Ages

329
0
Advertisement

New York, NY, November 9, 2017 – For the first time ever, an extensive collection of rare vintage Champagnes from Charles Heidsieck will be released directly from their oenothèque under the “La Collection Crayères” program. The House’s chalk cellars in historic Reims hold the prestigious library collection, where they have been stored since being bottled, and 2017 marks the 150th anniversary of the purchase of the unique Gallo-Roman cellars.

At a time when most Champagne houses were investing in their own vineyards, Charles-Camille Heidsieck made the bold move of foregoing his own land and instead turned his focus on perfectly aging his wines. Purchased in 1867 by Heidsieck, the 47 chalk cellars, or crayères, date back to the 2nd century and provide the optimal atmosphere for long-term aging of the House’s prestigious Champagnes. Located close to 100 feet below ground, they hold several million bottles that age a minimum of four years, and, for the La Collection Crayères bottlings, up to 40 years. As of 2015, the cellars have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stephen Leroux, Executive Director for the House of Charles Heidsieck, explains, “Opening our oenothèque to the public is a passionate and powerful act. We want to enable wine lovers to obtain these bottles and have unforgettable experiences; it echoes the House philosophy. What’s more, distributing such rare bottles in a responsible manner whilst ensuring a minimum are available for future generations, is an exercise in balance.”

This first-ever offering from the prestigious La Collection Crayères will include five incredible cuvées: 1985 Rose Millésime (SRP $399); 1983 Brut Millésime in magnum (SRP $799); 1985 Champagne Charlie (SRP $449); 1982 Champagne Charlie in magnum (SRP $1,200); and 1981 Cuvée Royale (SRP $799). 

Wines from La Collection Crayères will also be offered at auction by Christie’s on December 9th, 2017 in New York. Highlights of the sale include the much celebrated “Champagne Charlie” special cuvées from the 1980s; the House’s highly awarded Blanc des Millénaires Blanc de Blancs, with vintages dating back to 1983; jeroboams of the 1989 Brut Millésime; vintage Rosé back from 1985; and a number of bottles of the historic Cuvée Royale from the 1981 vintage.

La Collection Crayères Champagnes will be available in extremely limited quantities at the beginning of December at select fine wine outlets through the House’s national importer, Folio Fine Wine Partners.

About Champagne Charles Heidsieck – www.charlesheidsieck.com

Champagne Charles Heidsieck is one of the most respected Champagne houses in France. Founded in 1851, Champagne Charles Heidsieck is among the few prestige brands carrying the Grandes Marques distinction, and the first producer to bring Champagne to the United States.

Charles Heidsieck champagnes offer a unique blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, combined with 40 percent of Charles Heidsieck reserve wines, aged for an average of 10 years. Each bottle matures in chalk cellars for 5 to 15 years. This maturation time is essential for the development of the aromatic complexity and refined quality, typical of Charles Heidsieck champagnes. Acclaimed Internationally, Champagne Charles Heidsieck has been named Sparkling Winemaker of the Year thirteen times at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) and awarded 11 Grand Or medals, 32 Trophies and 101 Gold medals (37 between 2008 and 2011) during its illustrious history.

About Folio Fine Wine Partners – www.foliowine.com

Folio Fine Wine Partners was founded in 2004 by Michael Mondavi and his wife, Isabel, with their children, Dina and Rob Jr. Folio is an importer, fine wine agency and producer of quality wines from the world’s premiere and emerging wine regions, providing sales, marketing and public relations services to wine brands from California, Italy, Spain, France, Argentina, and Austria. Wines from California include Animo, Emblem, Hangtime, Isabel Mondavi, M by Michael Mondavi, Oberon and Spellbound. From Italy, are the wines of Bruno Giacosa, Coppo and Villa Sandi. The Spanish portfolio includes Fillaboa, Palacios Remondo and Vall Llach. From Argentina are the wines of Ben Marco, Crios, Nosotros and Susana Balbo, with Charles Heidsieck, Domaine Les Cailloux and Andre Brunel (France), and Laurenz V (Austria) completing the portfolio.

About Colangelo & Partners – www.colangelopr.com

Colangelo & Partners is a midtown Manhattan-based public relations and integrated communications agency specializing in food, wine and spirits. Boasting long established relationships with the key press that drive these business categories and help determine the industry’s leading brands, Colangelo & Partners continually creates unique story lines that are consistent with our clients’ brand strategies in order to provide a steady stream of compelling content to journalists and keep them in the news. A Finalist in the prestigious 2013 PR News ‘A List Awards’ in the integrated communications category, Colangelo & Partners utilizes social media, web marketing, advertising, events and promotions to build campaigns that establish brand strength and drive sales.

Advertisement

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.