Champagne "Ruinard" - features, types, composition

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

France's Champagne wine region is known all over the world. It was here that a drink was born in the early 18th century, which received its name from the name of the province. The mere fact that a bottle of champagne came from this region leaves no doubt about the excellent quality of its contents. And what is the best drink? Many Champagne wineries dispute the title of the most famous producers. And the Ruinart family can boast of being the first to specialize in sparkling drinks. The oldest Champagne winery is Gosset. It opened in 1584. But "Gosset" until the second half of the 18th century produced only still wines. And Ruinard champagne was released in the fall of 1729. Thus, this is the first sparkling wine in history, produced on an industrial scale. What else can be said about the quality of the drink? You will learn about this from this article.

History of the wine house

At the beginning of the 18th century in the city of Epernay (Champagne) lived a cloth merchant named Thierry Ruinard. He prospered and therefore spun in the highest circles of society. Whilethe nobility extolled to the skies the drink invented by TM "Dom Perignon" - champagne. And the practical cloth maker decided to retrain in order to engage in a more profitable craft. And he did not fail. Bubble wine really had a huge potential market. Only one thing prevented the drink from conquering the whole world: the law, according to which it was possible to export alcohol only in kegs. For technological reasons, this undermined the possibility of the champagne trade in the bud. Ruinard, however, learned all the subtleties and secrets of making a drink and passed them on to his nephew, Nicolas. He made sparkling wine in small batches, primarily doing cloth business.

Rise of Ruinart House

In May 1728, Louis XV, King of France, issued an edict that opened a new page in the history of champagne. Under the new law, winemakers were allowed to ship consignments of goods in bottles. Nicolas Ruinard immediately took advantage of this opportunity and officially registered his house. The first entry in the chief accountant was made on September 1, 1729. And already in the spring of 1730, a new champagne "Ruinard" was presented to the court of the aristocracy of the region. Judging by the fact that Nicolas left the cloth trade and moved the wine house from Epernay to the more prestigious Reims, it received the best praise. In 1768, Nicolas's son, Claude Ruinard, acquired the former Gallo-Roman quarries, which had been mined for limestone in antiquity, as cellars. In these eight-kilometer-long cellars, which lie at a depth of 38 m, the temperature is always maintained at +11 degrees. Currently, the Ruinart trademark belongs toFrench company LVMH, which is known, in particular, for being the owner of Givenchy, Guerlain, Louis Vuitton and other luxury brands.

Technology

The entire production process of Ruinart sparkling wine follows the rules invented by Dom Pérignon. The taste of champagne largely depends on the aging time in chalky cellars. Millesime drinks spend in the cellars, before they go on sale, three to four years. The aging period of non-vintage wines is longer - 9-10 years. The unique climate of Champagne with its rainy and cool summers and mild winters, and especially the chalky soils of the best appellations, allow winemakers in the region to harvest good harvests every year. For the production of the prestigious cuvée (Blanc de Blanc), the berries are taken from the house's own seventeen hectares. The rest of the raw materials are purchased from trusted suppliers who own vineyards on the best cru in Montaigne de Reims and Côte de Blancs. The house produces both white varieties of sparkling drinks, and pink ones, blended and single-sorted, vintage and non-vintage.

Types of champagne "Ruinard" category "cuvee" and "prestige cuvée"

The most famous sparkling wine among Russian consumers is R de Ruinart. It can be both vintage (made from a crop of one year) and not vintage. Champagne "Ruinard Brut" belongs to the category "cuvee". As for vine varieties, 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir are allowed. Non-millezim species contain about 25 percent of reservewines To get pink champagne, the manufacturer mixes at least 55 percent of fermented Pinot Noir must with Chardonnay. If sparkling wine is vintage, then the proportions are different. The manufacturer does everything to get a perfectly balanced taste.

The Dom Ruinart brand, which is also called Blanc de Blanc (White from White), belongs to the prestigious cuvée. This champagne is called so because it is made 100% from Chardonnay, without impurities of blue grapes. The first "Blanc de Blanc" was produced from 1959 raw materials. Since 1962, the house began to produce pink types of champagne. Dom Ruinart Rosé belongs to the prestige cuvée category. Essentially, it's Blanc de Blanc, but with the addition of vinified Pinot Noir.

Tasting the pearls of the wine collection

The flagship of the house is Ruinard Blanc de Blanc champagne. This is where we start our tasting. The authoritative magazine Wine Spectator characterizes it as "excellent wine". In this refined champagne, Chardonnay is revealed in all its wonderful, shimmering facets. For all sparkling wines of this region, the aroma of a fresh bun is characteristic (and even obligatory). But it's only at Blanc de Blanc that pastries sound so cozy. Connoisseurs can catch in the rich bouquet of wine the nuances of white flowers, almonds and citrus fruits. Warm honey notes sound in the rounded and harmonious taste of champagne.

Another pride of the winery is Ruinart Rosé Brut. The balanced taste of this champagne is reminiscent of "Blanc de Blanc", but inIn the bouquet of the drink, in addition to buns and almonds, notes of juicy summer fruits are read. Most of all, the color of the drink is remembered by customers. It is soft like a rose petal. The visiting card of the house is R Ruinart Brut. This champagne has a sunny color with a crystal sheen. And in the taste and aroma, notes of almonds, muffin and pears are guessed.

How to serve and what to serve with

The price of Ruinard Blanc de Blanc champagne starts from six thousand rubles per bottle. But not everyone manages to buy products at home. Almost the entire "circulation" is instantly acquired by well-known restaurants and wine boutiques. Therefore, a special occasion is required to enjoy this champagne. The Blanc de Blanc drink is an excellent accompaniment to seafood and white fish dishes. Ruinart Rosé Brut champagne, due to its fruity taste, is usually served with light French desserts. R Ruinart Brut is a versatile wine. It can be drunk both on its own and with light snacks, seafood or desserts. And of course, like any champagne, Ruinart drinks must be well chilled. Serve them in an ice bucket.

Packaging

The products of this house are recognizable not only for their delicate, excellent taste, rich bouquet and crystal color. It is bottled not in typical champagne bottles. Their form has remained unchanged since the eighteenth century! The round pot-bellied container not only evokes associations about the era of powdered wigs andwide crinolines, but also serves as a good protection against fakes. Champagne "Ruinart Brut" in a gift box will be an excellent present to your best friend. Some vintages, such as the 2002 Dom Ruinard, are so excellent (and sell for 20,000 rubles a bottle) that they can serve as a luxurious offering even without a box.

Champagne Ruinart: price

Despite the high cost of this product, it is instantly sold out. In Russia, you can buy champagne from this house only in elite boutiques. Its value largely depends on the whims of the seller and his desire to cash in on resale. The most "democratic" sparkling wine "R. de Ruinard Brut” can be purchased for 5340 rubles. Other types, especially the category "prestige cuvée", are much more expensive. The price of Ruinard Rosé and Blanc de Blanc champagnes is about six and a half thousand rubles. And this is not millesime! Reserve wines are used in the drink. But this cost is not the limit. The best harvests are estimated at 15-20 thousand rubles per bottle.