Initially founded in 1776 as Dubois Père & Fils, Louis Roederer inherited the company from his uncle and renamed it in 1833. “Louis Roederer’s guiding principle was that all great wine depends on the quality of the soil, a passion for tradition, and an astute vision of the future.” In 1979 Jean-Claude Rouzaud, grandson of Camille Olry Roederer, inherited this house. His son, Frédéric Rouzaud, has been the director of the company since 2006. Roederer remains an independent family-run house.

Roederer’s ultra-premium Cristal was created in 1876 to satisfy the tastes of Alexander II, Tsar of Russia. The emperor asked Louis Roederer to reserve the House’s best cuvée for him every year. This distinguished cuvee was named after this precious material.

Only produced from great vintages, the blend is 42% Chardonnay and 58% Pinot Noir sourced from 32 prestigious Grand Cru vineyard sites. The 2016 Louis Roederer Cristal has a glistening pale yellow crystalline appearance. The mousse is extremely fine and persistent unveiling floral whispers of freshly baked brioche, honeyed almonds, acacia blossoms and a hint of sea spray. The palate is a harmonious symphony of elegance and precision with vibrant notes of Meyer lemon zest, finely crushed chalk, tangerine oil, and gingerbread intermingled with hints of spiced apples and marzipan, creating a luxurious mouthfeel that is both creamy and ethereal. It lingers endlessly with delicate acidity, as if the wine itself is reluctant to bid farewell. The meticulously crafted 2016 Louis Roederer Champagne exudes elegance, complexity and pure pleasure at every level and transcends the competition. It is the aristocracy of Champagne.

By W Peter Hoyne