Louis Roederer Champagne — Family-owned and prestigious since 1776
Founded in 1776 in Reims and passed down through seven generations of the Rouzaud family, Louis Roederer embodies a rare independence within the world of prestige champagne. The house cultivates 250 hectares of vineyards — 135 hectares of which are certified organic — spread across the three major regions of the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne and the Côte des Blancs, comprising Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards. Under the guidance of cellar master Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, each plot is vinified separately in stainless-steel vats or truncated-cone oak barrels, resulting in champagnes that the house describes as ‘great wines for fine dining’: intense and refined, deep and luminous. From the legendary Cristal to the numbered Collection, every bottle bears the hallmark of a vineyard meticulously managed from vine to bottle.
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The Louis Roederer cuvées — From Cristal to the Collection
The range is centred on complementary expressions, each with a distinct character. Le Cristal, created in 1876 for Tsar Alexander II and produced only in exceptional vintages, is the perfect accompaniment to the finest dishes: Breton lobster, Osciètre caviar and scallops in their shells. The Numbered Collection, a dynamic and gourmet blend of reserve wines, pairs beautifully with fine poultry, sweetbreads or characterful aperitifs. The Blanc de Blancs Vintage enhances fine oysters and rock fish. The Brut Nature, with no dosage, complements tuna tartare or sushi. The Cristal Rosé, with its powdery texture and silky intensity, comes into its own with a strawberry dessert or semi-cooked foie gras.The Hommage à Camille offers a sophisticated interpretation of the Champagne terroirs, for connoisseurs curious about exclusive cuvées.
Non-vintage cuvées should be served between 8 and 10 °C; vintage cuvées and the Cristal between 10 and 12 °C, in a generous tulip-shaped glass. Stored at 12 °C away from light, the entry-level cuvées develop harmoniously over 3 to 5 years; the Cristal and the great vintages reach their peak after 10 to 15 years in the cellar.
At Pépites en Champagne, we select the finest Louis Roederer cuvées with the care of an artisan wine merchant: expert advice, authentic bottles, and careful delivery throughout France and Europe.
Louis Roederer — Seven generations at the heart of Reims
Founded in 1776 under the name Dubois Père & Fils, the house took the name Louis Roederer when his nephew took over the reins in the mid-19th century and expanded exports to Imperial Russia, becoming the Tsar’s official supplier in 1908. Awarded the ‘Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant’ (Living Heritage Company ) label since 2017, the house remains the exclusive property of the Rouzaud family — seven generations, no external shareholders, and complete freedom of decision-making regarding both the vineyards and the blends.
With 250 hectares of its own vineyards across Premier and Grand Cru sites in the three Champagne regions, including 135 hectares farmed organically, Louis Roederer controls its raw materials from root to cork. Cellar master Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon oversees plot-by-plot vinification in stainless-steel vats and truncated-cone oak barrels, preserving the unique identity of each terroir and each vintage.
Your questions about Louis Roederer champagnes
What is the real difference between the Numbered Collection and the Cristal?
The Numbered Collection is the house’s entry-level cuvée, created from a complex blend of reserve wines vinified from individual plots — accessible and versatile with food. Le Cristal is produced only in exceptional vintages, from outstanding chalky plots, and undergoes extended ageing on the lees: it is Louis Roederer’s ultimate prestige cuvée, in a league of its own in terms of rarity and price.
What food and wine pairings go well with Louis Roederer champagnes?
The Numbered Collection is at its best as an aperitif or with fine poultry. The Blanc de Blancs Vintage perfectly complements oysters and fine fish. Cristal calls for exceptional seafood: lobster, caviar and scallops. The Brut Nature, with no added sugar, pairs beautifully with tartares or sushi. The Cristal Rosé, silky and briny, complements a strawberry dessert or semi-cured foie gras.
How should Louis Roederer champagnes be served and stored?
Serve non-vintage cuvées at between 8 and 10 °C, and vintage cuvées and Cristal at between 10 and 12 °C in a generously sized tulip-shaped glass to bring out the aromas. When stored at 12 °C away from light, entry-level cuvées can be kept for 3 to 5 years; Cristal and great vintages reach their full potential after 10 to 15 years.
Where can I buy Louis Roederer champagne online?
Discover the full Louis Roederer range at Pépites en Champagne — a carefully curated selection, expert advice and express delivery throughout France and Europe.
Does Louis Roederer’s commitment to organic farming alter the character of the champagne?
With 135 hectares certified as organic, Louis Roederer prioritises soil health and limits the use of chemical inputs. This approach fosters a more precise mineral expression and a clearer structure in the wines — particularly noticeable in the Cristal, whose chalky plots were among the first to be converted. This choice is consistent with the vision of a ‘great gastronomic wine’ championed by Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon.
Why did Louis Roederer replace the Brut Premier with the Numbered Collection?
The Brut Premier has evolved into the Numbered Collection to better reflect the house’s plot-based philosophy. Each edition bears its own number, incorporates a higher proportion of reserve wines vinified separately by plot, and expresses the identity of a particular vintage within a non-vintage cuvée. The result is greater complexity and traceability, whereas the Brut Premier focused on classic consistency.
About
Champagne Louis Roederer — the essentials
- Founded in
- 1776
- Founder
- Dubois Père & Fils
- House / owner
- Rouzaud
- Location
- Reims
- Grape varieties
- Pinot Noir
- Cellar master
- Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon
- Distinctions
- Agriculture Biologique (135 ha), Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (2017), Fournisseur officiel du Tsar (1908)
- Cuvées
- Cristal, Cristal Rosé, Cristal Late Release, Cristal Vinothèque, Collection, Brut Premier
