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.
