Louis Roederer

History

Louis Roederer, a renowned champagne house, has its roots in 1776 when it was initially founded as Dubois Père & Fils. The company was inherited by Louis Roederer in 1833, who renamed it after himself and set out to establish a reputation for quality and innovation. Unlike other champagne houses, Louis Roederer chose to nurture its own vineyards, ensuring control over the harvesting and planting of grapes. This approach contributed significantly to the brand's popularity and distinct character.

In the 1870s, Louis Roederer's champagnes gained international recognition, particularly in Russia and the United States. The creation of the Prestige Cuvee, Cristal, in 1876 was a response to Tsar Alexander II's request for a champagne that would showcase its beauty. The transparent crystal bottle with a flat bottom was designed to highlight the champagne's color and effervescence, making it a premium cuvée.

Throughout its history, Louis Roederer has remained a family-run and independent champagne house, with each generation contributing to its legacy. The company's commitment to terroir, tradition, and vision has made it one of the few family-owned independent champagne houses in the industry. Today, Louis Roederer continues to produce exceptional champagnes, including the iconic Cristal, which is aged for six years and left for a further eight months after disgorgement[1][2][4].

Terroir

The terroir of Louis Roederer is deeply rooted in the finest areas of Champagne, including the Grands and Premiers Crus from Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs, and the Vallée de la Marne. The House owns 242 hectares of vineyards, with half of them being organically certified (AB label in France). Each vineyard parcel is meticulously cared for to ensure the perfect ripeness of the grapes, with a focus on biodiversity and "tailor-made" viticulture. The vineyards are planted with a mix of 53% Pinot Noir, 41% Chardonnay, and 6% Pinot Meunier, providing a rich palette for their champagnes.

The specific terroirs include "La Côte" Estate in Avize, known for its intense, rich, and mineral Chardonnays; "La Montagne" Estate in Verzenay, where the pronounced northern character of Pinot Noir produces taut wines with a distinct freshness and almost salty minerality; and "La Rivière" Estate in Cumières, where the strong light helps Pinot Noir attain optimal maturity with an intense fruitiness and dense texture. These unique terroirs contribute to the exceptional quality and character of Louis Roederer's champagnes[1][4].