Journey to Champagne 2012 - Part 2

They were only 2.5 kilometres apart, but getting from Louis Roederer to Ruinart in Reims seemed like an impossible task the longer we waited for our cab amidst the drizzle and icy winds.

The generosity of time (and free-flowing champagne) bestowed upon us at Louis Roederer far exceeded our expectations. It was such a joy and indeed a treat - but we were now running terribly late for our next appointment at Ruinart, the oldest champagne house.

We nonetheless arrived, albeit with flat, wet hair and slightly stressed - much to the amusement of a few Americans already there. Oh well, at least they won't forget us in a hurry.

Why Champagne Producers Should Be Doing More To Protect Consumers From Bad Champagne

A few blogs ago I professed my love affair with Ruinart. It's been a dizzy romance; I have fallen hard, head-over-heels in love for the euphoric highs of their expressive R de Ruinart Non-Vintage and Ruinart Brut Rosé Non-Vintage cuvées.

But like all love affairs, the lows can be as devastating as the highs can be euphoric. Unfortunately the bottle of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Non-Vintage I recently chose was less than perfect - flabby in fact. Damn this heart-crushing romance.

So in fairness to Ruinart, this will not a be a review of their Blanc de Blancs Non-Vintage.

It's quite ironic really because only last week, I blogged about Ruinart's Brut Rosé Non-Vintage and how my wonderful experience contrasted with The Champagne Guide's Tyson Stelzer's experience who went through several bottles until he struck one that wasn't stale. I discussed the importance of publishing base vintage years (for non-vintages) and disgorgement dates so that the consumer could be empowered to make a more educated assessment of the champagne they were considering buying.

Elegance And Expression - R de Ruinart Brut Non-Vintage

I am having a love affair with Ruinart right now. Over the past two weeks I have sipped, enjoyed and learned about their R de Ruinart Brut Non-Vintage and their Ruinart Brut Rosé Non-Vintage. Every taste, every smell has been a wonderful experience.

It's been my first foray into the world of Ruinart, brought on by preparation plans for our trip to Champagne in September this year. Our trip includes a tasting at Ruinart. At 140 Euros, it doesn't come cheap; but I did my research and France's oldest champagne house seems like one not to miss.

Ruinart produces an incredibly expressive style of champagne; so in researching for my blog this week I wanted to understand why it is so aromatic and floral on the nose and why the flavours are so fresh and intense.

The finesse, elegance, and minerality of chardonnay is the golden thread that runs through all of their cuvées. And whilst the R de Ruinart Brut Non-Vintage and Ruinart Brut Rosé Non-Vintage are not dominated by chardonnay in the blend, the chardonnay is carefully used to restrain the berry forward flavours of pinot noir.

 

Which brings me to my next point; Ruinart’s cuvées are very well balanced. There is a truly wonderful and clever act happening in the background between all elements of the champagne; no one element dominates another. It’s more of a happy, complementary and exciting marriage.