Adelaide champagne lovers got their exclusive first taste of the re-birthed Champagne Charlie after a 37-year hiatus. Charles Heidsieck’s chief executive, Stephen Leroux, flew over from France to join local champagne writer and presenter, Sara Underdown, along with 44 guests for a special dinner prepared by Garcon Bleu at the Sofitel.

Seven champagnes were paired with a bespoke menu which including crustacean bisque with crème fraiche and caviar as well as Barramundi with fennel purée, beurre noisette and Goolwa pipis.

Champagne Charlie is a super-premium champagne, with very limited quantities available through a highly selective network. In re-releasing Champagne Charlie, Charles Heidsieck reconnects with a tradition, paying homage to its founder, Charles-Camille Heidsieck (1822 - 1893). In the late 1970s, Charles Heidsieck's cellar master, Daniel Thibault worked with the founder's family to develop a champagne with 'Charles' signature'. His efforts led to five historic cuvées: 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1985.

This special release is the commemoration of the bicentennial of Charles-Camille Heidsieck's birth.