Charles Heidsieck founded the Champagne house he named for himself in 1851. An energetic marketer, Heidsieck traveled to the United States in 1852 where his Champagne became immensely popular. In 1864 he took his marketing skills and his wine to Russia, where the Champagne became the favorite of the royal Russian family. Today the famous estate in Epernay is part of EPI, a French luxury goods conglomerate owned by the Descours family. Charles Heidsieck is, according to Robert M. Parker Jr., “known as a source for rich, supple, forward Champagne…” One of the maison’s prestige cuvees is a blanc de noir called “Champagne Charlie,” named for the founder, who was called Champagne Charlie by his first customers in the United States.