Founded in 1776, the house of Lois Roederer is one of the oldest Champagne houses and one of the pioneers of the famous sparkling wine. However, at that time it was called "Dubois" and was only renamed to its now world-famous moniker after it was sold to Louis Roederer's uncle.
Louis Roederer was also a pioneer and mastermind in the matter of terroir, because at that time relatively little thought was given to this subject. Roederer, on the other hand, firmly believed in a connection between soil and grape quality and bought the best parcels wherever he could get hold of them. As a result, the company, which is still family-owned today, has a vineyard estate of 200 hectares, which is almost unprecedented for Champagne. But it is precisely this that allows maximum control over quality and gives the house a certain independence.
During the 18th century, Champagnes bearing the Roederer signum already enjoyed such an excellent reputation that the royal and princely courts of Europe were among the house's regular clientele. When Tsar Alexander II ordered a special Champagne for the Russian Tsar's court, today's icon of Champagne with absolute cult status was born: the long legendary "Roederer Cristal". The name was given to this prestige cuvée because it was delivered in a special crystal bottle with a flat bottom. And this bottom remains an inconspicuous as well as distinctive trademark of the "Cristal" to this day.
From 2000, the conversion to organic viticulture was started, more than 50% of the vineyard area is already certified, and the "Cristal" comes 100% from organic farming. The "Roederer Brut Premier" has long been a Champagne classic, as has the "Roederer Vintage", whose base wines are partially aged in small oak barrels. Since 2006, there has also been a "Brut Nature" and a "Brut Nature Rosé" in collaboration with designer Philippe Stark, who has given the bottles an exciting outfit. But the centerpiece is still the "Cristal", which is certainly one of the most iconic Champagnes ever.
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