INTRODUCTION
LOUIS ROEDERER — 250 YEARS OF CHAMPAGNE
Founded in 1776, Louis Roederer celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026, remaining one of Champagne’s great family-owned houses. Now led by seventh-generation Frédéric Rouzaud, the estate has grown from just 15 hectares in the mid-1800s to 242 hectares across some of the region’s finest vineyards.
Unlike many Champagne houses, Roederer owns enough vineyards to supply around 70% of its production, giving the family remarkable control over the quality of its fruit. Today, 115 hectares are certified organic, with biodynamic practices established across selected vineyards for more than two decades.
This commitment to vineyard ownership and careful farming has helped shape the house’s reputation. In 2026, Louis Roederer was named The World’s Most Admired Champagne Brand by Drinks International for the seventh consecutive year.
Our masterclass explored six exceptional Champagnes in a particularly significant year for the house, marking not only 250 years of Louis Roederer, but also 150 years since the creation of Cristal in 1876.
CHAMPAGNE LOUIS ROEDERER MASTERCLASS
THE WINES
LOUIS ROEDERER COLLECTION 247
~ A New Chapter for the House ~
Collection represents a significant change in direction for Louis Roederer. Introduced in 2021 to replace Brut Premier, it was developed in response to warmer growing seasons and increasingly ripe fruit. Rather than following a fixed house blend, each numbered edition reflects its base vintage, supported by a carefully managed library of reserve wines.
Collection 247 is built around the 2022 harvest, which accounts for 68% of the blend. It combines 44% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 26% Meunier, with fruit drawn from the Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne and Côte des Blancs.
A perpetual reserve established in 2012 contributes 27%, bringing freshness and continuity, while a further 10% of oak-aged reserve wines adds complexity. Dosage is 7g/L.
Ripe pear, citrus and orchard fruit meet toasted almond and a gentle brioche character. The palate is generous but lively, with a creamy mousse, fresh acidity and a savoury, lightly saline finish.
Collection 247 is an introduction to the modern Louis Roederer: a multi-vintage Champagne with the substance to accompany food and the freshness to make another glass very tempting.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
~ Sydney Rock oysters with Champagne mignonette
~ Kingfish crudo with lemon and olive oil
~ Golden Gruyère choux puffs
~ Salt-and-pepper calamari with lemon aioli
~ Roast chicken tartlets with tarragon
2017 LOUIS ROEDERER BLANC DE BLANCS
~ The Chalk of Avize ~
Produced entirely from Chardonnay grown in the Grand Cru village of Avize, Louis Roederer's Blanc de Blancs has long been a favourite of the family, traditionally opened for important celebrations. Its character comes from the chalk-rich vineyards of the Côte des Blancs, where Chardonnay develops concentration alongside a distinctly mineral freshness.
The 2017 vintage was challenging. Twelve nights of frost struck in April, followed by a cool, damp summer and unusually humid conditions towards harvest. Careful selection was essential, with picking taking place between 31 August and 9 September.
The wine was made entirely from Chardonnay, with 28% matured in oak and no malolactic fermentation. Dosage was 7g/L. Roederer's gentle, low-pressure bottling technique also contributes to the particularly fine, creamy mousse.
Lemon, spring flowers and fresh almonds meet subtle toasted notes and powdered chalk. The palate is concentrated yet delicate, with ripe citrus, a creamy texture and a fine mineral grip. Fresh acidity carries the wine towards a long, distinctly saline finish.
An excellent example of how Avize can give Chardonnay both generosity and remarkable definition, even in a difficult vintage.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
~ Scallop crudo with finger lime
~ Freshly shucked oysters with lemon
~ Butter-poached Moreton Bay bugs
~ Crab ravioli with lemon butter
~ Comté and leek tart
2017 LOUIS ROEDERER VINTAGE ROSÉ
~ Pinot Noir, Through a Rosé Lens ~
Louis Roederer makes its vintage rosé using a distinctive infusion technique. Chardonnay juice is introduced during the maceration of Pinot Noir, allowing the varieties to ferment together. The approach captures the colour and ripe fruit character of Pinot Noir while preserving the freshness of Chardonnay.
The 2017 vintage demanded particularly careful vineyard work. Spring frost was followed by wet summer conditions, and a warm, humid finish to the season increased the risk of rot. Rigorous selection at harvest helped preserve the quality of the fruit.
The blend comprises 60% Pinot Noir from Cumières and 40% Chardonnay from Chouilly. Around 29% was matured in oak, with 24% undergoing malolactic fermentation. Dosage was 8g/L.
Wild strawberry, raspberry and blood orange are joined by rose petals, cedar and gentle spice. The palate is silky and expressive, with concentrated red fruit, fresh citrus and a subtle savoury character. Chalky acidity and a lingering saline finish keep the richness beautifully balanced.
The 2017 is a particularly interesting rosé, showing how careful fruit selection and Roederer's infusion technique can produce a Champagne of delicacy and depth from a demanding season.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
~ Tuna tartare with salmon roe
~ Duck breast with cherry jus
~ Beetroot-cured salmon with crème fraîche
~ Prawn and saffron risotto
~ Prosciutto with fresh figs and burrata
Louis Roederer Vintage Rose 2017
$154.95
~ "hand in hand with nature"
2018 LOUIS ROEDERER VINTAGE BRUT
~ The Strength of Pinot Noir ~
Louis Roederer's relationship with the Montagne de Reims dates back to 1850, when the house acquired vineyards in the Grand Cru villages of Verzy and Verzenay. These cooler, predominantly north-facing slopes allow Pinot Noir to ripen more slowly, developing structure and aromatic complexity.
The 2018 Vintage Brut is composed of 80% Pinot Noir, principally from Verzy, with 20% Chardonnay from Chouilly. In a year marked by exceptional summer heat, these cooler vineyard sites played an important role in maintaining freshness.
Around 28% of the wine was vinified in oak, while 20% underwent malolactic fermentation. The Champagne spent four years ageing in Roederer's cellars, followed by a further six months after disgorgement.
Ripe apple, yellow plum and citrus are joined by toasted bread, almond and gentle spice. The palate has breadth and concentration, with a fine mousse and firm structure carrying the fruit through a long finish.
Where the Blanc de Blancs highlights Chardonnay's delicacy, the Vintage Brut demonstrates the depth and ageing potential of Pinot Noir grown on the chalk slopes of the Montagne de Reims.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
~ Roast quail with wild mushrooms
~ Chicken supreme with tarragon velouté
~ Seared scallops with cauliflower purée
~ Mushroom and Parmesan risotto
~ Aged Comté with toasted walnuts
Louis Roederer Brut Vintage 2018
$149.95
2018 LOUIS ROEDERER X BY PHILIPPE STARCK BRUT NATURE
Cumières, Vallée de la Marne, France
~ Nothing to Hide ~
Brut Nature began as a collaboration between Louis Roederer and French designer Philippe Starck, united by a desire to explore Champagne with as little intervention as possible. The 2018 is the fifth vintage of this partnership, produced without added dosage.
The fruit comes from the Cumières vineyards in the Vallée de la Marne, where limestone-rich soils and careful vineyard management help preserve freshness in increasingly warm seasons.
The 2018 blend comprises 55% Pinot Noir, 25% Meunier and 20% Chardonnay, with a small contribution from Pinot Blanc. Around 31% was vinified in oak. With zero grams of added sugar at disgorgement, the wine relies entirely on its fruit, texture and natural balance.
Fresh pear, white peach and citrus sit alongside almond, delicate florals and crushed chalk. The palate is dry and finely textured, with lively acidity, a subtle savoury quality and a clean, saline finish.
Brut Nature is a fascinating expression of Roederer's willingness to experiment. Despite the warmth of 2018, it remains fresh and generous, proving that zero dosage need not mean austerity.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
~ Natural oysters with finger lime
~ Kingfish sashimi with sea salt
~ Grilled scampi with lemon
~ Whipped goat's cheese with fresh herbs
~ Zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta
2018 LOUIS ROEDERER CRISTAL
~ 150 Years of Cristal ~
Cristal was created in 1876 at the request of Tsar Alexander II of Russia, who wanted an exceptional Champagne made exclusively for his personal enjoyment. Presented in a distinctive clear crystal bottle, it became one of the earliest prestige cuvées in Champagne.
In 2026, Cristal celebrates its 150th anniversary, making the release of the 2018 vintage particularly significant.
The exceptionally warm, dry conditions of 2018 produced ripe, healthy fruit, but also demanded careful blending to preserve the freshness associated with Cristal. For this vintage, cellar master Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon expanded the selection from the traditional 45 vineyard plots to 57, incorporating additional Chardonnay parcels and younger vines.
The final blend is 57% Pinot Noir and 43% Chardonnay, sourced entirely from Grand Cru vineyards. Approximately 28% was vinified in oak, with no malolactic fermentation. Dosage is 7g/L, and the Champagne spent at least six years ageing before a further rest following disgorgement.
Nectarine, ripe pear and citrus meet orange blossom, white pepper and subtle toasted notes. The palate is concentrated and silky, with exceptionally fine bubbles, chalky structure and a persistent saline character.
Despite the generosity of the vintage, Cristal 2018 retains remarkable freshness. Already compelling, it has the concentration, balance and structure to develop for many years.
A fitting conclusion to our masterclass, and a rare opportunity to taste a Champagne celebrating 150 years of history.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
~ Caviar with warm potato blinis and crème fraîche
~ Butter-poached lobster with lemon
~ Seared scallops with Champagne beurre blanc
~ Bresse chicken with wild mushrooms and cream
~ Roast Veal with a light mushroom jus
CONCLUSION
Tasting six Louis Roederer Champagnes side by side gave us a chance to explore just how much diversity exists within one house.
Collection 247 opened the tasting with freshness and generosity, followed by the chalky elegance of Blanc de Blancs. The Vintage Rosé offered ripe fruit and spice, while the Vintage Brut showed the structure and depth of Pinot Noir. Brut Nature took us in another direction entirely, before we finished with the exceptional 2018 Cristal.
What became increasingly apparent was the influence of vineyard, vintage and the decisions made both in the vines and the cellar. Each Champagne had its own character, yet the family's approach to growing and making wine remained a common thread throughout.
And finishing with Cristal in its 150th anniversary year? A pretty special way to round out an evening.
Revisit the Louis Roederer Masterclass at home with all six Champagnes, accompanied by our tasting notes and food-pairing suggestions.
~ 250 Years of Champagne. From Collection to Cristal.
