Toasting Bubbles and Champagne Maker Charles Heidsieck

If its one thing we learned from our infrequent visits with the 1% and/or the highly connected is the groups love for well-crafted champagne. So when one of the industry premier makers of champagne–Charles Heidsieck–gathers a group to fête its namesake founder “Champagne Charlie” with an intimate and glossy dinner to showcase some of their best varietals, we naturally get very excited. 

At the recent three course dinner held at Scott Conant’s Culinary Suite in SoHo, we got a glimpse at the life of Charles Heidseick through an edible series of reenactments and (yes) lots of champagne. His life, as we learned is fraught with impossible yet charming tales. It all started in 1851 when at just 29-years-old, he Frenchman launched his now famous bubbly. In the process Charles helped cultivate an appetite for the spirit with the well-heeled members of American Society. His adventures in America to promote his creation led to visits throughout the country we learned.

Thierry Roset, chef de cave, explained through Romain Pianet, the company’s senior brand director and who also served as the translator for the evening “Charles was a schmoozer,  which really helped build his business.” That he did. 

During Charles’ visits stateside we learned of his love of duck-hunting, his ability to socialize with powerful politicians and of course his ability to create great tasting champagne. As you would expect, duck made an appearance during the dinner. It was showcase during the first course which also incorporated his love of Brooklyn, with an impressive duck dish as was his love of New York, the dish was serve with the Charles Heidsieck Rosé Réserve.  A perfect starter drink to get the taste buds going.

As courses changed, so did the silverware and varietals. Included in the tasting where Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires Vintage 1995, Charles Heidsieck Brut Vintage 2000 and concluded with “Champagne Charlie” Vintage 1982 en Magnum, a very rare vintage of which only five vintages were ever produced.

It was a night like no other and guests in attendance included, Serena Altschul, Nathaniel Adams, author of I Am Dandy: The Return of the Elegant Gentleman, and Ricardo Rojas a celebrity hairstylist