Cristal Champagne is one of the most expensive Champagnes in the world. It was originally created in 1876 for Tsar Alexander II of Russia. It is also a favorite of celebrities and high-end consumers around the world. Louis Roederer has a large percentage of their own vineyards and they use biodynamic farming in their vineyards. Their wines are also aging well and their recent releases from 2012 and 2013 show great consistency in quality.
Made By Louis Roederer
In the world of luxury Champagnes, Roederer is considered one of the best. Their Cristal is a classic example of elegance, sophistication, and style. Cristal has a beautiful golden color, and fine bubbles that linger on the palate. This Champagne is a great accompaniment for food and can be enjoyed on its own. The wine is made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes that are picked at optimum ripeness. The grapes are then aged for six years in the cellars of Roederer. The house is also a major proponent of biodynamic farming. They halted the usage of pesticides in their vineyards and began tilling their land with horses instead of tractors.
In 1998, rapper and music producer Jay-Z declared his love of Louis Roederer Cristal Brut in his song “Roc Nation.” Since then, the luxury Champagne brand has gained more popularity amongst hip-hop fans. The wine is now a staple at many New York City clubs and restaurants.
Made From 100% Chardonnay
Originally created in 1876 as a special champagne for Tsar Alexander II of Russia, Louis Roederer’s Cristal Champagne has long been considered one of the world’s finest sparkling wines. In fact, it is the only champagne to have ever received a perfect score from Wine Spectator. Unlike many other prestige cuvées, which are a mix of current vintage wine and reserve wine, each bottle of Cristal is based on a single year’s harvest. The house uses 45 specific parcels of Champagne from the villages of Cramant, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize, Verzenay, Ay and Mareuil-sur-Suesle to produce this exquisite champagne. The wines are then blended and aged before being bottle-finished in the house’s prestigious transparent lead-crystal bottles.
The 2014 vintage displays an elegant, refined style with polished fruity notes and powerful minerality reminiscent of citrus and white flowers. This champagne offers a sculpted expression of the Champagne region’s limestone soils and is balanced with an elegantly long finish.
Made From The Best Vineyards In The Champagne Region
Cristal roederer is one of the largest and most prestigious Champagne houses, with its flagship cuvee being Cristal. Its reputation for excellence is based on the fact that only the best vineyards in Champagne are used to create this wine. It also spends much longer on its lees than most other champagnes do, which helps to preserve its freshness and clarity. The house is family owned and currently managed by the seventh generation, including cellar master Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon. They are also implementing biodynamic and organic farming in their vineyards.
This 2014 Cristal is a spectacular Champagne that showcases the beauty of the region’s chalky soils. It is both vibrant and refined, with notes of citrus and white fruits, and a minerality that will keep it ageing well. It is perfect with a wide range of foods.
Made With Biodynamic Farming
The Champagne house Louis Roederer is a pioneer of sustainability. They have been experimenting with biodynamic farming since 2000, and half of their vineyards are now BD (the other half is organic). This year the cellar master Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon released the first ever 100% BD Cristal. It’s a fantastic vintage, one of the very best since 2002, with incredibly pure fruit and excellent balance. Lecaillon attributes it to a very dry summer that fostered perfect maturation.
During the summer, they ceased using herbicides and started re-ploughing their soil. This approach allowed for a more ideal balance between sugar and phenolic ripeness, Lecaillon claims. Each year the percentage of Cristal harvested from biodynamic vines increases, but you’d never know it unless you read the label, because they don’t advertise it on their bottles. That’s a big reason we love this producer: they take their craft seriously and don’t try to make a point of it. The result is wines that are the best in their class.
Conclusion:
Cristal Roederer stands as a pinnacle of luxury and refinement in the world of champagne. With its rich history, meticulous craftsmanship, and unparalleled quality, Cristal transcends mere drinkability, becoming an embodiment of elegance and exclusivity. From the shimmering crystal-clear bottle to the symphony of flavors within, embracing Cristal Roederer is an invitation to savor a sensory experience that encapsulates the epitome of champagne excellence.
FAQs:
What sets Cristal Roederer apart from other champagnes?
Cristal Roederer is renowned for its exceptional exclusivity and meticulous craftsmanship. It is produced only in exceptional vintages and undergoes a longer aging process, resulting in a champagne of extraordinary depth and complexity. The use of hand-selected grapes, traditional winemaking methods, and the distinctive clear bottle create a champagne that stands in a league of its own.
Is Cristal Roederer suitable for special occasions, and what is its ideal serving temperature?
Cristal Roederer is indeed suitable for special occasions, given its prestige and rarity. It’s often associated with celebrations and momentous events. As for serving temperature, it’s recommended to enjoy Cristal at around 50-54°F (10-12°C) to allow its intricate flavors to fully express themselves. This slightly higher temperature compared to standard champagnes allows its complexity to shine.
