Founded in Riems in 1776, the same year that saw the birth of the United States of America, Louis Roederer is still an independent family-owned business.
Although best known for the iconic Cristal, synonymous with indulgence and hype, courtesy of the likes of Jay Z, P Diddy and Posh and Becks, the big seller with James Nicholson Wine Merchant, Roederer’s NI supplier, is Roederer Brut Non Vintage (NV). This is a fabulous Champagne. In the words of Jancis Robinson: “I have yet to experience a bottle of Louis Roederer Brut Premier that did not taste deliciously superior and ready to drink.” Don’t just take her word for it – here’s Jane Macquitty of the Times:“ Brut Premier is a distinctive black grapes-dominated champagne with around one-third chardonnay and a noticeable proportion of oak-aged reserve wines in the blend. The end result is a rich, fruity, honeyed champagne with a fine waxy, biscuity finish”.
Louis Roederer policy is driven by a commitment to quality and the production of a consistent style that always takes precedence over quantity. Production volumes depend on expert vineyard management, a rigid set of qualitative criteria and nature’s willingness to play ball.

The Court Interior at Louis Roederer

Control of the quality of the grapes remains the key factor for Louis Roederer. Two thirds of the total always comes from the estate-owned vineyards and meticulous care is taken to conserve the character of the individual wines whose infinite distinctions will enrich the composition of the cuvée.
Yields from each individual parcel, village or cru are always vinified separately, partly in small tanks & partly in wooden vats. The period of maturation on lees is twice as long as traditionally applied in champagne.
Then there are the finishing touches: the addition of the superb reserve wines that only the House of Louis Roederer ages in oak vats; the meticulous selection of a remarkable range of dosage liqueurs and the ever-long ageing of the wines in the cellar after disgorgement.
Brut Premier is the embodiment of Louis Roederer style, combining all the fruitiness and freshness of youth with the vinosity of a fully mature wine. This is a structured and elegantly mature wine with as lively attack and a smooth palate.
Louis Roederer Champagne