Louis Roederer

Louis Roederer is a very famous Champagne House, based in Reims and still family owned. Founded in 1776, but when Louis Roederer took over the business from his uncle in 1833 and renamed the company after himself.

The house established itself as the purveyor to the Czars of the Russian Empire. During this period, the Champagne was vinified very sweet, according to the taste of the Imperial Court of Russia. Moreover, Czar Alexander II requested to put his favorite Champagne in a unique, distinctive bottle. In 1876 (exactly 100 years after the foundation), Roederer designed the famous “Cristal” bottle, made entirely from crystal with a flat bottom. In fact, this was the first “Cuvée de Prestige” ever produced. But the Russian revolution in 1917 almost blew Roederer from the map. They lost 80% of their revenue and it took a long time to recover. 

“Cristal” disappeared from the market, but re-appeared commercially in 1945, this time not made in a transparent glass bottle with again a flat bottom. In 1974 was the first release of the “Rosé Cristal”. While the regular “Cristal” is made from an equal blend of Chardonnay and Pinot noir, is the “Rosé Cristal” produced with a higher percentage of Pinot Noir and colored with red wine from the same grape.

 Louis Roederer produces approximately 300.000 – 400.000 bottles of “Cristal”. Louis Roederer also produces other types of Champagne, of which the “Brut Premier” is the most popular (70 -80 % of the total production of 3.5 million bottles per year). Top recent vintages for “Cristal” are: 1982, 1985, 1990, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2004 and 2006.