2012 Champagne Louis Roederer Cristal Methusalem (6 liter)

Louis Roederer is a prestigious champagne producer based in the Champagne region of France. The House of Louis Roederer is known for its commitment to quality, traditional winemaking methods and its signature cuvée, Cristal.

History of Louis Roederer

Louis Roederer was founded in 1776 by a German wine merchant named Louis Roederer. The house started as a wine shop and became involved in the production of Champagne in the early 19th century. In 1827, Louis Roederer's cousin, Adolphe Roederer, took over the business. Adolphe played a crucial role in the expansion and growth of this producer. He traveled extensively to build relationships with European courts, including the Russian Imperial Court. In 1876, Louis Roederer created the iconic Cristal Champagne. It was originally produced exclusively for the Russian Tsars and was presented in a crystal clear bottle, which is the origin of the name 'Cristal'. Louis Roederer remained a family business for many years. However, in 1932 the Rouzaud family, relatives of the Roederer family, took over the house. The Rouzaud family owns and manages Louis Roederer to this day. Like many companies in Champagne, Louis Roederer faced challenges during the World Wars, including damage to their cellars. Despite these difficulties, they persevered and continued to produce exceptional champagne. Louis Roederer has a long history of producing high quality champagnes. They are known for their traditional winemaking methods, including hand harvesting, fermentation in oak barrels and long-term aging in cellars.

Cristal

One of the most famous Champagnes produced by Louis Roederer is Cristal. Created in 1876, Cristal is a prestigious and luxurious cuvée originally produced for the Russian Tsars. It is typically a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes with Chardonnay as the dominant grape variety. They are known for their exceptional quality, elegance and aging potential. It is known for its fine, persistent bubbles, a rich and creamy texture and a harmonious balance of flavors and aromas. Cristal is highly regarded by wine critics and collectors worldwide. It consistently receives high ratings and is considered one of the best Champagnes available. Bottles of Cristal are often collected and aged for special occasions. The clear crystal bottle in which Cristal was originally presented was changed to a conventional bottle design in the early 20th century. This change was made to protect the taste and quality of the wine, as the clear glass was found to be sensitive to light exposure. Today, Cristal is usually bottled in an elegant, clear glass bottle with gold packaging.

Louis Roederer's vineyards

Louis Roederer owns and manages vineyards in the best Champagne crus, including the Grand Cru vineyards of Verzenay, Verzy and Ay, among others. These vineyards supply the grapes for their exceptional wines.

Assortment by Louis Roederer

In addition to Cristal, Louis Roederer produces a range of other champagnes, including Brut Premier, Vintage Brut, Rosé and Blanc de Blancs. These wines suit a wide range of preferences and occasions. Louis Roederer's Champagnes have received critical acclaim from wine critics and publications around the world and are considered some of the finest Champagnes produced in the region.