A masterpiece that has become an icon and the ever-changing story of a constant dialogue between the vineyard and the cellar.
In 1974, Jean-Claude Rouzaud, then CEO of Champagne Louis Roederer, came up with the idea of launching a rosé version of the legendary Cristal created in 1876 for the court of Tsar Alexander II. This rosé version would soon acquire its own identity and assume its place in the world of exceptional champagnes. An ode to lightness and refinement with its softly nuanced fragrances, Cristal Rosé would continually surprise and delight even the most discerning palates.
Today, the Louis Roederer Champagne House, headed by Jean-Claude’s son Frédéric Rouzaud, is
celebrating 50 years since the creation of Cristal Rosé. Over the course of some intense harvests,
respecting nature’s rhythms, and by dint of patient learning and continuous innovation, it has constantly gained in finesse, elegance and singularity.
Cristal Rosé has established itself among wine connoisseurs and lovers of fine products as one of this century’s great fine wines, destined for long cellar ageing and promising to deliver an unforgettable drinking experience.
A revolutionary technique: gentle infusion
In celebrating Cristal Rosé’s 50th anniversary, Champagne Louis Roederer is also paying tribute to half a century devoted to the quest for perfection that has shaped the story of this champagne.
From the outset, Cristal Rosé set itself apart by using an innovative approach to vinification referred to as the gentle infusion technique. This unique process, inspired by the art of infusion practised by Japanese tea masters, extracts the Pinot noir’s most delicate aromas without any mechanical intervention. This technique, which preserves the purity and complexity of the flavours, endows Cristal Rosé with its unique energy, powdery texture and extreme finesse.
Under the stewardship of Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, cellar and vineyard manager since 1999, this infusion method has been constantly improved and the fermentation phase quite literally reinvented, to enhance each new expression of Cristal Rosé since its creation. This constant rise in quality is exemplified by the legendary 2008 vintage, undoubtedly one of the greatest Cristal Rosé ever created.
An ever-changing story
An emanation of its great predecessor, Cristal Rosé is derived from a selection of vineyard plots that started in the birthplace of Cristal – Pinot noir in Aÿ and Chardonnay in Avize and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger – and then continued to evolve, becoming more precise and aromatically nuanced each year from the end of the 1990s. It was at this time that the Louis Roederer Champagne House, conscious of climate change, began to evolve its viticulture to become increasingly more eco-friendly, introducing sustainable practices such as regenerative organic growing, massal selection, gentle pruning and long fallowing periods.
Subtle aromas of wild peaches and berries, a delicate touch of salinity, silky texture: each vintage of Cristal Rosé pushes the boundaries even further, revealing a new facet of the Champagne terroir, of which this exceptionally concentrated and refined wine is one of the purest and most remarkable expressions.
© Champagne Louis Roederer / Emmanuel&Quentin