Louis Roederer

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A bottle of Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne 1993.
A bottle of Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne 1993.

Louis Roederer is one of the largest remaining independent Champagne Houses, owned by the Rouzaud family since it was founded in 1776. It is most famous for producing the premium champagne Cristal. It is based just south of Reims, France. Tsar Nicholas II nominated Louis Roederer as the official wine supplier to the Imperial Court of Russia. Thus it became known as the 'Champagne of the Tsars'. The Russian Revolution and Prohibition in the United States caused the company to lose major ground during the early 20th century, though it quickly re-established itself during the Great Depression as an eminent wine-producer.

Contents

[edit] Acquisitions

The Roederer portfolio also includes Bordeaux estates Château de Pez and Château Haut Beausejour in Saint Estèphe.[1] In late 2006, the Rouzand family acquired majority share in the second growth estate Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. The deal also included the Cru Bourgeois estate Château Bernadotte and the South African winery Glenelly.[2]

Roederer established a Californian vineyard in 1982.[3] Located in Mendocino County, north of San Francisco, the California Estate produces several sparkling wines using the méthode champenoise.

[edit] Production

From a vineyard area of 214 hectares (530 acres), Louis Roederer produces two thirds of the grapes needed for its production, sourcing the remaining required fruit from established farming contacts.[4]

The Roederer non-vintage cuvées include the extra dry Brut Premier, Grand Vin Sec and the demi-sec Carte Blanche, all Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blended approximately in 2:1 proportion, with a small portion of Pinot Meunier.[5]

The vintage cuvées include the Brut Vintage, Rosé Vintage, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in an approximately 7:3 proportion, and the 100% Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs. The rosé is made by red wine addition rather than by saignée method. The prestige cuvée Cristal, approximately an equal blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, is also available as a rosé, which contains more Pinot Noir and is also made by addition of red wine.[5]

The total annual production of Roederer is approximately 3.2 million bottles, of which 70-80% is Louis Roederer Brut Premier.[4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Anson, Jane & Lechmere, Adam, Decanter.com (November 1, 2006). Roederer takes over Pichon.
  2. ^ Frank, M., Wine Spectator (December 31, 2006). "Champagne House Takes Over Pichon-Lalande": p.15. 
  3. ^ Roedererestate.Net
  4. ^ a b Marthinsen, Tom, Dagens Næringsliv (April 28, 2008). Superelegant kjendis-champagne (Norwegian).
  5. ^ a b Kissack, Chris, thewinedoctor.com. Roederer.

[edit] External links

  This winery-related article is a stub. You can help by expanding it.