The Champagne wine region of France is known worldwide. It was here that a drink was born in the early 18th century, which got 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 which drink is considered the best? Many Champagne wineries challenge the title of the most famous manufacturers. And the Ruinart family can boast that it began to specialize in the production of sparkling drinks before the rest. The most ancient winery of Champagne is Gosset. It opened back in 1584. But "Gosset" until the second half of the 18th century produced only still wines. And the Ruinard champagne was released in the autumn 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.
The history of the wine house
At the beginning of the 18th century in the city of Epernay (Champagne) there lived a certain merchant of cloth named Thierry Ryuinar. He succeeded and therefore revolved in the highest circles of society. At that time, the nobility exalted to heaven the drink invented by TM "House of Perignon" - champagne. And the practical draper 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 whole world from conquering the drink: the law by which it was possible to export alcohol only in barrels. For technological reasons, this fundamentally undermined the possibility of trading champagne. Ruinard, however, learned all the intricacies and secrets of making the drink and passed them on to his nephew, Nicolas. He made sparkling wine in small batches, doing primarily cloth business.
The heyday of the house "Ruinar"
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 transport batches of goods in bottles. Nicolas Ryuinar 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, the new Ruinard champagne was presented to the court of the aristocracy of the region. Judging by the fact that Nicolas left the sale of cloth, and transferred 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 under the cellars, in which limestone was mined in the ancient era. In these cellars eight kilometers long, which lie at a depth of 38 m, a temperature of +11 degrees is always maintained. Currently, the Ruinard trademark is owned by the French company LVMH, which is known, in particular, for being the owner of Givenchy, Guerlain, Louis Vuitton and other elite brands.
Technology
The entire Ruinart sparkling wine production process complies with the rules invented by the House of Perignon. The taste of champagne in many respects depends on the aging time in chalk cellars. Millezimny drinks spend in cellars, before going on sale, three to four years. The aging period of non-vintage wines is longer - 9-10 years. Champagneâs unique climate, with its rainy and cool summers and mild winters, and especially the chalky soils of the best appellations, allows winemakers in the region to harvest good crops every year. For the production of the prestigious cuvĂ©e (Blanc de Blanc), the berries are taken from their own seventeen hectares of the house. The rest of the raw materials are purchased from trusted suppliers who own vineyards at the best cruis in Montagnes de Reims and CĂŽte de Blancs. The house produces both white varieties of sparkling drinks, and pink, blending and monosortovye, cute and not vintage.
Types of champagne "Ruinar" category "cuvée" and "prestige cuvée"
The most famous Russian consumer of sparkling wine is R de Ruinart. It happens both vintage (made from a crop of one year), and not millesimny. Champagne âRuinar Brutâ belongs to the category âcuvĂ©eâ. As for the varieties of vines, 40% of Chardonnay and 60% of Pinot Noir are allowed. Non-millesimous species contain about 25 percent of reserve wines. To get pink champagne, the producer mixes with Chardonnay at least 55 percent of Pinot Noir fermented wort. If sparkling wine is millesim, then here the proportions are different. The manufacturer does everything to get a perfectly balanced taste.
The Dom Ruinart brand, which is also called âBlanc de Blancâ (âWhite from Whiteâ), belongs to the prestigious cuvĂ©. This is called champagne because it is made one hundred percent from Chardonnay, without impurities of blue grape varieties. The first Blanc de Blanc was released from 1959 raw materials. Since 1962, the house began to produce pink types of champagne. The category âprestige cuvĂ©eâ belongs to Dom Ruinart RosĂ©. In fact, this is âBlanc de Blancâ, but with the addition of a vinified pinot noir.
Tasting the pearls of the wine collection
The flagship of the house is the champagne âRuinar Blanc de Blancâ. With him we will begin our tasting. The authoritative magazine Wine Spectator characterizes it as "excellent wine." In this refined champagne, Chardonnay is revealed in all its wonderful, shimmering faces. All sparkling wines of this region are characterized by (and even required) the aroma of fresh butter buns. But only at Blanc de Blanc does baking sound so cozy. Connoisseurs can catch the nuances of white flowers, almonds and citrus fruits in a rich bouquet of wine. The round and harmonious taste of champagne sounds warm honey notes.
Another pride of the vinotheque is Ruinar Rose Brut. The balanced taste of this champagne is reminiscent of âBlanc de Blancâ, but in the bouquet of the drink, in addition to buns and almonds, notes of juicy summer fruits are read. Most of all, customers remember the color of the drink. He is as tender as a rose petal. The hallmark of the house is R Ruinart Brut. This champagne has a sunny color with a crystal sheen. And in taste and aroma notes of almond, muffin and pear are guessed.
How to serve and what to serve
The price of Ruinard Blanc de Blanc champagne starts at six thousand rubles per bottle. But not everyone can buy products at home. Almost the entire âcirculationâ is instantly acquired by famous restaurants and wine boutiques. Therefore, to enjoy this champagne, a particularly solemn occasion is required. The Blanc de Blanc drink is an excellent accompaniment to seafood and white fish dishes. Champagne âRuinar Rose Brutâ, due to its fruity taste, is usually served with light French desserts. R Ruinart Brut - universal wine. It can be drunk both independently and with light snacks, seafood or desserts. And of course, like any champagne, Ruinar's drinks should 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 not bottled in bottles typical of champagne. Their shape has remained unchanged since the eighteenth century! Round pot-bellied packaging not only inspires associations about the era of powdered wigs and wide crinolines, but also serves as a good protection against fakes. Champagne âRuinar Brutâ in gift wrapping will be an excellent present for a best friend. Some vintages, for example, âHouse of Ruinarâ of 2002, are so excellent (and sold at a price of 20 thousand rubles per bottle) that they can serve as a luxurious offering even without a box.
Champagne "Ruinar": price
Despite the high cost of this product, it is instantly sold out. In Russia, you can buy champagne from this house only in luxury boutiques. Its cost largely depends on the whims of the seller and his desire to cash in on resale. The most âdemocraticâ sparkling wine âR. de Ruinar Brut "can be purchased for 5340 rubles. Other species, especially the category "prestige cuvĂ©e", are much more expensive. The price of champagne âRuinar Roseâ and âBlanc de Blancâ is about six and a half thousand rubles. And this is not unpleasant! The drink used reserve wines. But such a cost is not the limit. The best yields are estimated from 15-20 thousand rubles per bottle.