If you need more reasons to buy this champagne, then consider this: it made it into the Top 100 list of the Wine Spectator in 2007, and received some stunning comments owing to its decidedly creamy texture. Called both “elegant” and “beautifully integrated”, Heidsieck win again with a bubbly that can happily take on other more expensive bottles within a similar category.

As well as pine box, the bottle also comes laid on a bed of straw and with a card for you to add your personalised message to a friend or loved one.

UPDATED NOTE: although the Food Standards Agency recalled some bottles of Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top NV in 2010 (namely the following batch numbers: 01757985, 01757965, 01757955 and 01757975) many bottles of perfectly fine champagne are available, so don’t be put off!

Naturally corked and loved all over for its uncompromising quality and delicate Vanilla hints, this Heidsieck may have a tiny price-tag in comparison with some champagne heavy-weights, but don’t let that fool you; over at the web-site customers are already raving about the drinkability of this bubbly, not least because it contains a degree of quality that is virtually unheard of from similarly priced bottles found in supermarkets, irrelevant of country.

Obviously, at such a meagre price, the bottle will never be able to compete with more expensive bottles, but for far less than the price of a night out drinking, we doubt there’ll be hordes of people complaining about that.

Charles Heidsieck: without a doubt, one of the most prized champagnes in the world.

Ad Charles Heidsieck 1900

Charles Heidsieck has always been acclaimed by professional tasters, those recognised as being the first amongst “those who know”. The quantity of medals and trophies regularly earned by Charles Heidsieck is simply extraordinary. The winemaking team has been awarded the “Winemaker of the Year” trophy nine times by the UK International Wine Challenge (1994, 1998-2002, 2004, 2007, 2009).

A favoured supplier of the royal courts of Europe.

From the very beginning, Charles Heidsieck gained the respect of professionals and amateurs.

Founded in 1851, the House and its wines earned their first medals during the Universal Exhibition of 1859. The Emperor Napoleon III himself was prone to drinking the Maison’s champagne, showing a preference for the “high style very dry” which had traditionally been made for the British market.

After Charles-Camille Heidsieck’s voyage to Russia in 1864, the Tsar’s entourage particularly appreciated his champagne and the labels on the champagne bottles soon carried a caption written in Cyrillic which read “specially chosen for Russia”. Charles Heidsieck was also an official supplier to the courts of H.M. the King of Sweden and his R.H. the Grand Duke of  Sax-Weimar.

Réserve Range

Brut Réserve

This is the most perfect expression of the Charles Heidsieck style They embody the main qualities of the Maison, the multiple facets of its know-how. An aperitif wine by excellence, it is also the perfect accompaniment to simple but savoury food.

Tasting notes:

Voluptuous,  Brioche,  Lilac, Apricot, Peach, Honey, Creaminess

Price UK : http://www.thedrinkshop.com £31.80

Rosé Réserve

Charles Heidsieck Rose Reserve

A fleshy, acidulous cuvée which suggests the liveliness of the pomelo or morello cherry, mingled with the irresistible aroma of freshly picked wild strawberries. The aromatic finesse evokes, like a cherry or almond tree in bloom, a naturally, sophisticated elegance. The Rosé Réserve is the most recent addition to the Charles Heidsieck Réserve range.

Tasting notes:

Wild strawberries, Mild spices, Vanilla pods, Fresh and smooth

Price UK : http://www.wineandco.co.uk £ 33.85

Since the beginning of their production, this Champagne spreaded successfully throughout European royal courts and to the wealthiest people of that time.

Charles Camille–Heidsieck was a young man when he set up his wine house in 1851. He operated a strict selection of grapes and improved production methods by purchasing new machines for a better wine mellowing maturation.

The Charles Heidsieck House now produces several Cuvee like Brut reserve, Rosé reserve, Blanc des millenaires and vintage Brut 2000.

Charles H. Champagne

The Champagne House’s man expertise and gifted natural resources contribute to define its style.

Another reason for Charles Heidsieck champagne’s incredible success is time since the optimal mellowing time provides a unique taste, the “fondu aromatique”, so sought after by the industry experts.

Wines are kept stored for at least 3 years (for Brut reserve), 6 years for Vintage ones.

After the “degorgement”, wine rests another 3 to 6 years before being sent off.