Louis Roederer

It is in this respect that Roederer has established itself as the region’s vanguard. The house owns 410 parcels across 593 acres of vines, all in grand and premier cru villages. Of these, 185 acres are biodynamically farmed. All of Roederer’s 410 parcels are pressed and vinified separately, either in stainless steel tanks or large 6,000 litre oak casks.

The flagship cuvée from Champagne Louis Roeder, Cristal was created in 1876 for Alexander II, tsar of Russia. Widely considered to be the first prestige cuvée. it was not commercially available until 1945.

Peter Liem describes it as “a prestige cuvée like no other”. It’s sourced from the house’s chalky parcels in Avize, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Verzenay, Verzy, Beaumont-sur-Vesle, Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. It is released relatively young, after sufficient lees ageing. However, it is notorious long-lived, often revealing its full complexity and finesse after ten to twenty years.