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LOUIS ROEDERER
CRISTAL
Louis Roederer is one of the largest remaining
independent Champagne Houses and has stayed in
family ownership since the House was founded in
1776.
In 1909 Tsar Nicolas II nominated Louis Roederer
as the official supplier of champagne to the
Imperial Court of Russia. As the political
situation in Russia at the time was unstable and
the Tsar feared assassination, he ordered that
champagne bottles be made with clear glass to
avoid having a bomb hidden in them. Upon this
request, Louis Roederer commissioned a Flemish
glassmaker to create a champagne bottle with clear
glass and a flat bottom, as champagne bottles made
from common, green glass had a bell shaped bottom.
To create a safe, flat bottomed bottle, it had to
be made from stronger, clear lead crystal and so
'Cristal' champagne was born!
Cristal is widely regarded as being the Jewel of
the House. It is made according to the strictest
criteria and a rigorous process of selection is
applied in all stages in the production of the
wine. Only Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes from
the House’s ten most celebrated crus are used in
the creation of this legendary cuvée. The rosé
contains a higher percentage of Pinot Noir, and is
gently coloured with red wine, rather than being
macerated with Pinot Noir grape skins, in a
permitted derogation from the prohibition on
blending white and red wine within the EU
Cristal Champagnes produced:
Louis Roederer Cristal
Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé
Top Cristal Champagnes vintages produced:
1976, 1982, 1990, 1996 (rosé), 1999, 2002
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