Champagne Ruinart
Champagne Ruinart
#PROPERTY: History & Terroir
The history of Ruinart
May 25, 1728 marks a pivotal date in the history of champagne. It was on this date that a royal decree was promulgated, authorizing the transport of 50 or 100 bottles of Champagne wine in baskets to the ports of Normandy. This royal decision had a significant impact on the Champagne wine industry and paved the way for the future prosperity of this wine-growing region.
The authorization to transport bottles of champagne in baskets to the ports of Normandy was a crucial measure, as it enabled champagne to leave Champagne and be exported to other regions of France and even abroad. Prior to this decision, champagne was mainly consumed locally in Champagne and was relatively unknown outside the region.
The decision also had a direct impact on the life of Nicolas Ruinart, nephew of Dom Ruinart, a Benedictine monk and wine lover who had already developed an interest in champagne. Nicolas Ruinart, who was a cloth merchant at the time, saw in this authorization a unique opportunity. He took the initiative to found the first Champagne House, which was to become the famous Maison Ruinart.
The founding act of Ruinart House was drawn up on September 1, 1729, in Reims, marking the beginning of an exceptional history in the world of champagne. Maison Ruinart became the first to devote itself exclusively to champagne production, laying the foundations for what we know today as one of the most prestigious champagne houses.
Over the generations, the Ruinart family has played an essential role in the development and renown of the House, both in France and internationally. Claude Ruinart, son of Nicolas, succeeded his father as president of the House in the mid-18th century. Nicknamed "le voyageur", he expanded the House's commercial horizons by establishing links with various European countries, including Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Another milestone in the history of Maison Ruinart was the creation of rosé champagne in 1764. At the time, this rosé champagne, called "oeil de perdrix" in reference to its pale pink color, was obtained by macerating grape skins, which tinted the juice. This innovation marked the beginning of Ruinart's exploration of new champagne variations.
In 1769, Maison Ruinart again pioneered the use of wooden crates to ship its champagne bottles. This revolutionary practice helped improve wine transportation in France and abroad, guaranteeing the quality and safety of the bottles in transit.
In 1817, the Ruinart family was ennobled and added "de Brimont" to their name, marking their high status and commitment to quality.
Finally, in 1877, Ruinart achieved another major feat by becoming the first Champagne House to store its bottles in natural chalk cellars. This decision was crucial, as it created an ideal environment for champagne aging, with a stable temperature, constant humidity and low light levels.
Since 1988, the company has belonged to the LVMH group.
More recently, in 2020, Maison Ruinart took a step towards sustainability by replacing all its single-unit boxes with the second-skin case. This eco-friendly innovation, made from 99% recyclable paper molded to the shape of the bottle, has significantly reduced the Maison's carbon impact. It also demonstrated Ruinart's ongoing commitment to the environment and preservation of the planet.
The history of Ruinart is a fascinating testimony to the evolution of the champagne industry, marked by innovation, boldness and commitment to quality and sustainability. It has played an essential role in champagne's renown as a prestigious beverage appreciated the world over.
Nicolas Ruinart, Founder of the House of Ruinart
Nicolas Irénée Ruinart (1697-1769): Founder of the first champagne house in Reims, France, Maison Ruinart, in 1729. Nephew of Dom Thierry Ruinart, he inherited the secrets of Champagne winemaking. His son Claude Ruinart went on to manage the house in Reims. Maison Ruinart, founded by Nicolas Ruinart, is one of the oldest Champagne houses and continues to prosper in Reims.
The Ruinart chalk pit
The Ruinart chalk quarries represent a veritable underground cathedral of chalk, buried at a depth of almost 40 metres, revealing the House's exceptional history and expertise. These immaculately white former chalk quarries are an essential part of the Champagne region's heritage. They extend over an incredible labyrinth 8 kilometers beneath the surface, housing the House's precious bottles. With their calm ambience and impressive gigantism, the crayères offer visitors a unique experience.
Ruinart's crayères are much more than just a storage facility for the House's precious cuvées. They bear witness to the avant-garde vision of the Ruinart family, being the first Reims-based House to install its wine cellars here as early as the 18th century. Their natural conditions, with constant humidity, stable temperature and low light levels, provide optimal conditions for slow maturation in the bottle, contributing to their elegance and complexity.
A visit to the Ruinart chalk pits is a fascinating experience, allowing visitors to discover a historic site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, testifying to the cultural and viticultural importance of the region. These underground caverns also serve as a backdrop to the presentation of the history of the Maison Ruinart, enriching the visit by sharing the origins and evolution of this ancestral House.
In addition, the Ruinart crayères are an artistic venue, reflecting the House's commitment to art. Visitors can discover a permanent collection of contemporary artworks along the way, adding a cultural dimension to their experience and illustrating the union between art and champagne at Ruinart.
In short, the Ruinart chalk pits are an underground treasure trove that embody history, tradition, innovation and art, making each visit a captivating dive into the world of champagne and the House of Ruinart.
#WINES FROM THE DOMAIN: Appellations and Cuvées
The Champagne appellation
The region Champagnein France is world-famous for its champagne, produced using the traditional method. The main grape varieties are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, offering a range of styles, from dry to slightly sweet. Grands Crus and Premiers Crus highlight the best vineyards, while strict regulations preserve the quality of Champagne, a symbol of celebration and refinement, appreciated worldwide for its unique finesse and freshness.
The Ruinart Champagne range
Dom Ruinart offers three types of champagne: Blanc de Blancs, Rosé and Brut. Within these categories, there are a variety of champagnes made from different grape varieties and blends.
- R de Ruinart
- Ruinart Blanc Singulier
- Ruinart Blanc de Blancs
- Ruinart Rosé
- Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs
- Dom Ruinart Rosé
Which Champagne Ruinart should you buy?
R de Ruinart offers a harmonious balance of chardonnay, pinot noir and meunier, and aromatic complexity with toasty notes and fresh fruitiness, representing the distinctive Ruinart taste.
Ruinart Blanc Singulier is an innovative cuvée that blends 80% single-year base wines with 20% wines from a perpetual reserve, offering a captivating palette of aromas, from ripe fruit to candied citrus, with floral, herbaceous and spicy notes, to seduce champagne lovers.
Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, the hallmark of the Ruinart House, is made exclusively with Chardonnay, embodying elegance and freshness with citrus and floral aromas.
Ruinart Rosé blends the freshness of chardonnay with the fruitiness of pinot noir, with notes of exotic fruit and delicacy on the palate, representing Ruinart's distinctive fruity expression.
Discover our selection of Ruinart Champagne
What's the best Ruinart?
Ruinart vintage,exceptionalyears2009, 2010, 2016
Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2010 celebrates human craftsmanship with extended aging, revealing extraordinary richness and olfactory intensity. Composed exclusively of Chardonnays from the grand crus of the Côte des Blancs and the northern slopes of the Montagne de Reims.
Dom Ruinart Rosé 2009, an exceptional vintage, combines the finesse of Côte des Blancs Grands Crus chardonnays with the roundness of pinot noirs for unrivalled elegance.
R de Ruinart 2016, the result of a variable-climate year, marries meunier, chardonnay and pinot noir for refreshing balance and aromatic complexity.
Champagne Brut Ruinart: a benchmark in the world of champagne
Champagne Brut Ruinart is a benchmark in the world of champagne. It embodies the excellence and tradition of Maison Ruinart, one of the oldest champagne houses, founded in 1729. This emblematic cuvée is appreciated for its consistent quality and distinctive style.
How much does Ruinart champagne cost?
How much does a bottle of Ruinart Champagne cost?
Ruinart Champagne is positioned as a high-end brand, aimed primarily at fine restaurants and specialty stores. Prices vary according to the cuvée, with basic bottles generally around 100 euros, while prestige cuvées can cost much more.
The Ruinart Champagne Bottle
Ruinart bottles adopt a classic champagne bottle shape, with an elegant, tapered silhouette. The upper part is slightly conical and tapers towards the neck, while the lower part is wider to accommodate the liquid. This shape has been widely adopted in the champagne industry and is known as the "champagne bottle".
Ruinart bottles have a long, narrow neck, ending in a cork covered with a gold metal cap. This elongated neck is designed to maintain the champagne's freshness and pressure, while making the bottle easy to open. Occasionally, the cuvée is presented in a second-skin case, a gift box that can be kept until tasting.
The Ruinart gift box
Ruinart offers a range of elegant wooden gift boxes designed to accompany the purchase of their champagnes. These boxes are carefully designed to reflect the refinement and excellence of the Maison Ruinart. One of the major advantages of these wooden boxes is their versatility, as they can hold between 1 and 4 bottles of champagne, offering a suitable option for different occasions.
These Ruinart wooden boxes are popular for gift presentation, whether offering a single bottle of champagne as a thoughtful gift, or creating more generous gift sets by including several bottles. They add a touch of sophistication to every gift. What's more, these wooden boxes help preserve the quality of champagne.
Where to buy Ruinart?
For all wine lovers looking for the perfect Ruinart Champagne purchase, you'll find all our references and detailed information on our website. Discover our wide selection of exceptional vintages, explore the unique characteristics of each bottle, and find the Champagne Ruinart that suits your taste and occasion.
#IN BRIEF: Figures
Region: Champagne
Appellation: Champagne
Surface area: 100 Hectares (grape purchases equivalent to 1000 Ha)
Red grape varieties: pinot noir, meunier
White grape varieties: chardonnay
Rosé grape varieties: chardonnay and pinot noir
Vine growing methods: "Raisonnée