The new chief executive officer of Champagne brands Charles and Piper Heidsieck is looking forward to the challenge of restoring the wines to their former glory.

In an interview with the Drinks Business, Cecile Bonneford revealed she has ambitious plans for both brands, ensuring that they reflect the heritage they have enjoyed since 1785, while returning to profitability in the modern market.

Both wines will be marketed separately, in order to allow the company to take advantage of the unique characteristics of each.

Charles Heidsieck is the smaller of the two labels, selling just 19,000 cases in France and 52,000 outside, according to the International Wine & Spirit Record.

However, Ms Bonneford told the publication she believes it has the quality to take on the more popular Bollinger and Roederer.

As for Piper, the key is to improve its standing in France. Outside its own country the brand is the third most popular, selling 390,000 cases each year. At home, however, it is the ninth most popular label, with sales of just 78,000 cases.

The Drinks Business notes Andre Heriard-Dubreuil of Remy Cointreau allowed the sales of the two brands - and of Charles Heidsieck in particular - to fall by millions of bottles so that reserve stocks could be built up.

His winemaker Daniel Thibault therefore had eight vintages available to create the non-vintage cuvee, with excellent results. However, while the quality of the wine produced was high, market share dwindled.

Thibault's replacement Regis Camus has, in the words of Ms Bonneford, "reinvigorated the brand", but sales are still low, which is where the new CEO hopes to make changes.

Mr Camus has had his work cut out with the 2011 wines, describing the year's growing season as one of the strangest and most challenging he has ever witnessed.