Ruinart ‘R de Ruinart’ Brut

What to expect

– The calling card; R de Ruinart Champagne shows the fresh style of the house

– Blended across 50 different villages across Champagne

– Pair with warm crusty bread, soft cheese and pear slices

“The red apple of pinot noir meets the grapefruit of chardonnay, set against a backdrop of spicy, toasty gingerbread lees complexity.

On first release, this was a particularly pure and focused R de Ruinart, with subtle wisps of the struck-flint reduction of the house, something Ive not seen in this cuve in the past, which Frdric Panaotis puts down to the purity of the blend today.

A year on, the phenolic grip of the warm 2015 season is beginning to sink its claws in as it sheds its primary freshness. Nonetheless, it upholds good acid drive and integrity.” Tyson Stelzer

An easy way to start off your champagne session.

Technical details: 40% chardonnay, 49% pinot noir, 11% meunier; a blend of around 50 different crus, including a little from the Cte des Bar; full malolactic fermentation; 2025% reserves; 8g/L dosage; cork; 60% of the production of the house, hence more than 1.5 million bottles.

About the House

“Frderic Panaotis grew up between his grandparents chardonnay vines in Champagne, and the variety remains close to his heart, making him very much at home as chef de cave at Ruinart since 2007. The longest-established champagne house of all has an affinity with chardonnays freshness, finesse and elegance, and all of its finest cuves lead with this variety, even its prestige ros. Without the might of Mot & Chandon, the brand impact of Veuve Clicquot or the cachet of Krug, Ruinart lurks as the low-profile member of the Louis VuittonMot Hennessy family. On Reims famed Rue de Crayres, its premises hide behind the grand street presence of Pommery and Veuve Clicquot. This is just as Panaotis would have it. In France we have a saying, if you live underground, you live happy! he says. But on its performance, Ruinart has no need to lie low. Its cuves are pure and pitch-perfect, singing with the crystalline precision of chardonnay.” Tyson Stelzer – The Champagne Guide 2018-2019

Food Pairing suggestion

Keep it simple here with some light foods, fresh bread, soft cheese and perhaps fresh apple and pear.