Wine connoisseurs, critics, and pop singers all adore Louis Roederer’s magnificent Cristal Champagne. The key to its high price is found in its storied past, the caliber of the fruits, expert winemaking, and more!
Louis Roederer was established in 1776 as Dubois Perre & Fils in the French Champagne area. When Louis Roederer received the land from his uncle in 1833, it was given a new name. The biggest family-run Champagne house in the world as of right now.
The signature champagne of this well-known Champagne house is Cristal. Usually, 40% Chardonnay and 60% ripe Pinot Noir grapes are used in the blend. Only the best vintages are used to manufacture Cristal, which is always a vintage Champagne. Only the vintages from 2006, 2007, and 2009 were made available in the 2010s. It is also one of the Champagne bottles that age the best in the entire world.
Let’s examine the various Cristal Champagne varieties.
STYLES OF CRISTAL CHAMPAGNE WINES
Four different Cristal sparkling wines are produced by the Louis Roederer Champagne house:
- Cristal: Made by Roederer in 1876 for the Russian Tsar, it is the first Cuvee de Prestige (Prestige Cuvée) of Champagne. This Prestige Cuvee is a blend of 40% Chardonnay and 60% ripe Pinot Noir, with 32% of the blend being vinified in oak barrels.
- Cristal Rose: Aged for six years in the cellar, Cristal Rose is a mix of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay.
- Cristal Vinotheque: For about ten years before and ten years after the dose, Cristal Vinotheque bottles are matured “sur lattes” (horizontally stacked).
- Cristal Rose Vinotheque: 30% Chardonnay and 70% Pinot Noir make up Cristal Rose Vinotheque. It ages for 20 years, with 10 of those years spent on lees and ten following disgorgement.
WHY IS CRISTAL CHAMPAGNE SO POPULAR AND EXPENSIVE?
Because of its rarity and attraction as a “status symbol,” Cristal Champagne is regarded as a Veblen item, which means that demand increases with price. Hand-harvested fruits from Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyard sites and excellent craftsmanship are the secrets to this upscale wine. Additionally, Cristal sparkling wine can age in bottles for at least 20 years before losing its personality and freshness. Wine & Spirits magazine awarded the 2002 vintage a flawless 100 in 2009. Expect to pay at least $200 for it. In the 2010s, Cristal wines have increased in value by an average of 40%, and this rising trend is still present. Now, using the assistance of a reputable online wine auction firm like Crurated is the simplest way to add an authentic Cristal wine bottle to your collection. You might be able to purchase, store, and sell great wine bottles from all around the world at this location.
Let’s also investigate the technique used to create the mouthwatering flavors of this Champagne.
CHAMPAGNE CRISTAL: DISTINGUISHED VINEYARDS AND CAREFUL WINEMAKING
Under the direction of cellar master Jean Baptiste Lécaillon, this magnificent sparkling wine is produced using fruit from the oldest vines (25 to 60 years old) in the 240-acre Louis Roederer vineyard.
The vines are located in the Grand Crus and Premier Crus of the Cote des Blanc, Montagne de Reims, and Vallée de la Marne, three of Champagne’s top terroirs.
The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes receive an excellent minerality from the chalky soil, which gives the wines crystalline acidity.
The winery cultivates its fruit utilizing biodynamic farming methods, which rely on natural and organic ingredients.
A look back into Cristal’s interesting past is worthwhile. So let’s begin:
CHAMPAGNE CRISTAL: DISTINGUISHED VINEYARDS AND CAREFUL WINEMAKING
In the 1850s, Champagne’s appeal among the Russian elite increased. In 1867, Tsar Alexander II of Russia attended a lavish supper in Paris when Roederer’s handcrafted Cristal was offered as a specially created, 20-year-old wine. Grapes from the renowned 1847 vintage were used to make it. It was served in flat-bottomed, clear-leaded crystal glass bottles to highlight its lovely golden tint. It was a favorite and the wine of Tsar Alexander II. To meet the Tsar’s expectations, the Champagne entered full production by 1876.
The Tsar wanted the Louis Roederer Champagne served in a clear glass or crystal decanter so he could see it bubbling and make sure there were no bombs concealed beneath due to political unrest and his fear of assassination. For this, Louis Roederer hired a Dutch glassmaker to produce a flat-bottomed, clear lead-glass crystal bottle. As a result, the Cristal Champagne was created and released for sale in 1945. The Champagne brand rose to fame among various pop musicians by the early 2000s. When Louis Roederer, managing director Frédéric Rouzard said in an interview that “We can’t prohibit individuals (hip-hop artists) from buying it. I’m sure Dom Pérignon or Krug would be thrilled to have their business,” things took a negative turn.
At the 40/40 Club in New York, rapper Jay-Z even removed it from his list and promised never to drink it again. (Fun fact: Jay-Z purchased the Armand de Brignac Champagne in 2017). Despite this, interest in Roederer’s Champagne grew on a global scale.
CHAMPAGNE CRISTAL: DISTINGUISHED VINEYARDS AND CAREFUL WINEMAKING
If you’re looking for a celebratory indulgence or a long-term investment that could bring you a sizable profit when you sell it, Cristal Champagne is one you should keep in your cellar. Through a specialized online wine auction, you might be able to get one. But you’ll never know if the Champagne bottle you’re holding is genuine or if you got a good deal on it! Purchasing, storing and selling your Cabernet Sauvignon, Cristal Champagne, and other wines through Crurated is the greatest choice you can make.