Louis Roederer

History of the House of Louis Roederer

Founded in 1776, the House of Louis Roederer truly took off in 1833 when Louis Roederer inherited it. At a time when most champagne producers bought grapes, Louis Roederer made a bold decision: he chose to acquire vineyard plots in grand crus to control every step of his wine production. This visionary strategy allowed him to better control grape quality and produce unique champagnes, imbued with the richness of the terroirs.

In 1876, to meet the demands of Russian Emperor Alexander II, the house created the first prestige cuvée, the famous "Cristal", which remains to this day one of the most sought-after champagnes in the world. Several generations of the Roederer family have since perpetuated this quest for excellence, each contributing their own stone to the edifice. Camille Olry-Roederer, in the 1930s, revived the house after the Great Depression and added a touch of glamour by organising lavish receptions.

Today, under the direction of Frédéric Rouzaud, the seventh generation, the House of Louis Roederer continues to innovate, while remaining true to its original philosophy: a great wine is born from the earth and respect for traditions. With an annual production of three million bottles, Louis Roederer is one of the greatest names in Champagne, while remaining deeply attached to its family management and independence.

Terroirs and Vineyards of the House of Louis Roederer

The House of Louis Roederer possesses a major asset: its own vineyards, a rarity in Champagne. Today, the house owns 250 hectares of vines, spread across 420 distinct plots in three of the region's most prestigious terroirs: the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne, and the Côte des Blancs.

This diversity of terroirs allows the house to play with a wide palette of expressions to craft its cuvées. The three main grape varieties used are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. Pinot Noir brings structure and intensity, Chardonnay confers elegance and freshness, while Pinot Meunier adds suppleness and harmony.

The house has also adopted a sustainable and environmentally respectful approach to cultivating its vines. For over 20 years, Louis Roederer has practised biodynamic viticulture on certain plots, respecting nature's cycles and biodiversity. By 2024, the entire vineyard is certified High Environmental Value (HVE), and more than half is certified organic. These practices help preserve soil richness and guarantee grapes of exceptional quality.

Vinification at the House of Louis Roederer

Vinification at Louis Roederer is an art based on meticulous know-how. Each plot is vinified separately, thus preserving the unique identity of each terroir. This "plot-by-plot" approach offers total traceability of the grapes and allows oenologists to select the best lots for each cuvée.

Pressing is carried out with great precision to avoid tinting the juices with the colour of grape skins, thus preserving the purity of flavours. The wines are then fermented in stainless steel vats and oak casks, using a method that favours unique aromatic complexity.

At Roederer, malolactic fermentations are only partial, allowing the wines to retain great freshness. Additionally, some wines are aged on lees for several years, which gives them remarkable depth and aromatic richness.

A real Great Champagne House ! 

The Cuvées of the House of Louis Roederer

The House of Louis Roederer is famous for the diversity and quality of its cuvées, each expressing in its own way the quintessence of Champagne. The cuvées of the House of Louis Roederer are ,:

Brut Premier is an emblematic champagne that embodies the perfect balance between freshness, elegance, and richness. Its blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier makes it a wine that is both structured and lively. Aged for several years in cellars, it charms with its aromatic complexity, combining notes of fresh fruits and brioche nuances, while offering a length on the palate that gives it a vinous dimension.

Carte Blanche is a sweet, epicurean cuvée that reveals a creamy texture sublimated by a beautiful vivacity. This champagne, with its generous character, is distinguished by its gourmet aromas of cooked fruits, almond, and white flowers. Aged for several years, it gains in subtlety and balance, while retaining an accessible and indulgent side that delights lovers of sweet champagnes.

Vintage is the quintessence of Pinot Noir from the historic vines of the Montagne de Reims. With great concentration, it expresses the power and maturity of the Verzy terroir. The Vintage is a structured champagne, rich in aromas of ripe and candied fruits, with a beautiful depth and remarkable length on the palate. It's a wine of character, witness to exceptional years.

Louis Roederer's Rosé Vintage offers superb energy, combining freshness and aromatic intensity. Composed mainly of Pinot Noir from Cumières, this rosé is the result of a delicate infusion that preserves the freshness of red fruits while bringing a beautiful amplitude in the mouth. Its crisp notes of tangy fruits and its salty touch make it a vibrant and refined champagne.

Produced exclusively from Chardonnay from the Grands Crus of the Côte des Blancs, the Blanc de Blancs Vintage is a tribute to the purity and minerality of the chalky terroir. This champagne is straight, luminous, and elegant, carried by aromas of citrus, white flowers, and a saline freshness. Aged in cellars, it develops a silky texture and depth that make it a wine for long keeping.

Cristal is the jewel of the House of Louis Roederer, an exceptional champagne produced only in great years. Its balanced blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay gives it a unique harmony, with aromas of white fruits, citrus, and remarkable minerality. Aged for six years, Cristal is distinguished by its silky texture and length on the palate, making it a refined and inimitable wine.

Cristal Rosé, created from old vines cultivated biodynamically, is a rare cuvée that combines aromatic power and finesse. With a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this rosé champagne reveals a complexity of flavours ranging from red fruits to white flowers. Its silky texture and mineral freshness bring an intense and elegant dimension to each sip.

Cristal Vinothèque is a precious cuvée, the result of long ageing that reveals the full potential of Cristal. After two decades of maturation in cellars, this champagne unveils complex aromas, an ample texture, and surprising freshness. Each bottle of Cristal Vinothèque is an invitation to explore the subtle balance between the power of the wine and the finesse of time.

Cristal Rosé Vinothèque embodies the art of ageing. After a long period in cellars, this rare rosé offers aromas of great precision, mixing ripe fruits, caramel, and sweet spices. Its structure is both powerful and elegant, with a persistent freshness that reinforces the harmony and depth of this exceptional cuvée.

Brut Nature is a unique collaboration between Louis Roederer and designer Philippe Starck. This zero-dosage champagne, made from grapes ripened on the clay soils of Cumières, embodies the purity and truth of the terroir. With its frank aromas of ripe fruits and marked minerality, Brut Nature is a vibrant, fresh wine of great intensity, ideal for lovers of undosed champagnes.

Each of these cuvées reflects the expertise and innovation of the House of Louis Roederer, offering varied taste experiences while maintaining exceptional quality.

Louis Roederer distinguishes itself with its exceptional vintages. Among the most notable are Cristal 2014, a racy and elegant wine that seduces with its freshness. Cristal 2012, a vintage already recognised for its finesse and aromatic richness, or the Blanc de Blancs 2013, appreciated for its precision and ageing potential. Each year thus offers a unique expression of the terroir, and lovers of rare vintages will not be disappointed by the selections of the House.

If you wish to explore the other great houses of the Champagne region, Bollinger, Salon, Krug, Laurent Perrier and Dom Pérignon are a must, each offering cuvées with distinct but equally prestigious styles.

The House of Louis Roederer perfectly embodies the art of champagne making. Strong in its independence and family management, it has, over the centuries, perpetuated excellence and innovation. With an exceptional vineyard and environmentally respectful viticultural practices, it offers unique cuvées, reflecting the richness of Champagne terroirs. Whether you're looking for a prestigious champagne like Cristal or an elegant and complex brut, Louis Roederer offers you an incomparable taste experience.