Forget Vuitton, this is the only Louis I want

It’s not just enthusiasts who appreciate a fine wine, some of the most enduring love letters to great Champagne have come not from critics or collectors, but from rappers. For decades, hip-hop artists have been shouting out their favourite bottles, cementing certain labels as status symbols, cultural icons, and essential players in the art of celebration. And among all the bottles that have made it into lyrics, Champagne gets more than its fair share of love.

Back in 1996, New York rapper Jay-Z, or as the kids call him today, Beyoncé’s husband—released Brooklyn’s Finest, a track featuring none other than Biggie Smalls. The Notorious B.I.G. had a penchant for luxury and made it known in his verse: “Cristal forever.” With those two words, a Champagne already steeped in prestige became synonymous with success, indulgence, and the upper echelons of taste.

But let’s rewind further. Cristal wasn’t created for the rap elite but for actual royalty. In 1876, Tsar Alexander II of Russia requested something exceptional from Louis Roederer, a cuvée crafted from only the house’s finest wines, set aside in its own unmistakable clear glass bottle.

The Tsar’s demand wasn’t just about aesthetics (though that flat-bottomed, crystal-clear design certainly turns heads); it was a matter of trust. He feared assassination attempts via hidden explosives in traditional green bottles and required a vessel that left nothing to chance. Thus, Cristal was born, blending security, exclusivity, and sheer opulence.

But why does Cristal remain one of the most sought-after Champagnes?

According to Louis Roederer’s cellar master, Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, “A wine of pure pleasure and a sophisticated gastronomic wine, Cristal is both powerful and delicate, combining subtlety and precision.”

Be still my beating heart.

That’s how I felt standing outside the maison, staring at the gleaming gold sign on the roadside that read Champagne Louis Roederer Caves. Even before I stepped inside, there was a thrill, a sense of reverence for the place, for the name, for the stories that have passed through its walls.

Roederer isn’t open to the public, which made the private tour and tasting feel even more special. Deep in the cellars, among the cool, silent rows of bottles aging in the shadows, we were given a rare glimpse into the soul of this historic house. One of the most striking sights? The original Cristal bottle, crafted from real crystal, accompanied by two stunning glasses of the same material. A true relic of Champagne royalty. No I did not try to sneak them into my bag! They are safely housed behind glass - what a pity, they’d look stunning in my glass cabinet back in Dublin.

Louis Roederer

Now a visit to the tasting room, which is so exquisitely decorated it practically jumped straight out of the pages of Architectural Digest. This is a grown-up tasting room. This is my dream apartment. This is heaven. And just when I think it can’t get any better…I hear a cork pop.

Collection 244: A Chapter in an Ongoing Narrative

And then came Collection 244, a testament to Louis Roederer’s innovative approach to Champagne. The Collection range is a unique, multi-vintage expression, designed as a living archive of the House’s winemaking journey. Rather than representing a single harvest, each release in this range, identified by a distinctive number, is a carefully crafted blend that intertwines the vibrancy of the current vintage with the complexity of select reserve wines.

Tasting Collection 244 was like opening a new chapter in a timeless story. It conveyed the signature balance and finesse of Roederer, with ripe pear and stone fruit notes harmoniously married with hints of hazelnut and pastry cream. The freshness of Chardonnay elevated the depth of Pinot Noir, creating a dialogue between tradition and modernity. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, the Collection range invites you to explore a dynamic evolution of style with each new edition, making every tasting a discovery in itself.

Vintage 2015
This vintage captured the very essence of a remarkable growing season. With each taste, I was drawn into its elegant structure. Notes of toasted brioche, delicate almond, and a refreshing hint of citrus played against an undercurrent of chalky minerality. It was as if the vintage itself held the whispers of a summer’s warmth and the cool embrace of autumn, creating a balanced symphony that lingered beautifully on the palate.

Blanc de Blancs 2015
Crafted exclusively from Chardonnay, the Blanc de Blancs 2015 was a luminous expression of purity and grace. Its delicate, crystalline character unfolded with aromas of crisp apple and pear, accented by subtle hints of white flowers. Beneath its ethereal charm lay a robust minerality, a nod to the limestone-rich soils that shape its character. In this glass, the finesse of Roederer shone through, offering an experience of refined elegance and a vibrant, fresh acidity that elevated the senses.

Rosé 2016
The Rosé 2016 was a revelation of colour and complexity. Its gentle blush and alluring aroma of red berries mingled with soft floral nuances, creating a sensory narrative that was both bold and tender. Every sip delivered a lively interplay between fresh, vibrant fruit and a sophisticated, lingering finish. It was a champagne that told its own story. A story of passion, precision, and the delicate balance between nature and craft.

Louis Roederer Tasting Room

Stepping into the world of Louis Roederer is like entering a realm where heritage meets innovation, a house steeped in tradition yet boldly embracing the future. Beyond the exquisite tasting rooms and meticulously preserved cellars, the very essence of Roederer is nurtured in its sprawling vineyards, dotted across the celebrated Champagne growing zones of the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne, and the Côte des Blancs. Owning nearly two-thirds of these vineyards, the House exerts a rare degree of control over its terroir, allowing every grape to tell its own story of the land.

In recent years, Louis Roederer has led the charge in sustainable viticulture, seamlessly integrating eco-friendly practices into centuries-old winemaking. Their approach is as much about respecting the land as it is about celebrating the art of Champagne. Inspired by permaculture and biodynamic principles, the estate uses techniques like massal selection and gentle pruning, methods that let the vineyards breathe and grow naturally.

These practices not only nurture the soil and safeguard biodiversity but also allow the authentic character of each vintage to shine through. In fact, around 75 hectares of their estate are managed biodynamically, and 115 hectares boast official organic certification, highlighting the Maison’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship.

Louis Roederer Cellars

This sustainable vision isn’t merely a modern add-on; it’s woven into the very fabric of the House. Under the discerning guidance of cellar master Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, whose passion for authenticity and purity has shaped Roederer’s practices, the winery has embraced innovative techniques that respect nature while producing wines of extraordinary finesse. The recent accolade of the Robert Parker Green Emblem, awarded for 2023, stands as a testament to these efforts. It underscores not only a relentless pursuit of quality but also a responsibility to the land that has nurtured the grapes for generations.

A Second Visit, A Second Revelation

The above wasn’t my only encounter with Roederer’s cellars. Last year, as part of the Champagne Academy, I had the privilege of another behind-the-scenes look at this storied maison.

It was during that visit, wandering through the cellars once more, that I noticed something that I missed on my previous visit: a marble plaque listing the names of previous chefs de caves, the cellar masters who have safeguarded Roederer’s legacy over the centuries. And among them, a familiar name.

Germaine.

My name.

I knew my maternal grandfather, Patrick Germaine, had traced our ancestry back to northern France, specifically Champagne. There’s even a village in the region called Germaine. And here I was, deep in the cellars of one of Champagne’s most revered houses, staring at a name that could very well be part of my own lineage. A moment of pure serendipity, of history folding in on itself. Perhaps Champagne really is in my blood…through DNA or not I can confirm Champagne is certainly in my blood, given the sheer volume of bottles I’ve popped in my 34 years!

Returning to Louis Roederer felt like slipping back into a dream, one where time slows, and every detail is touched by elegance. The mere sight of that gleaming gold sign, Champagne Louis Roederer Caves, sent a thrill through me once again, but this time, I knew what awaited behind those grand doors. My anticipation was not just for the tour, nor even for the sheer beauty of the place, but for the wines, the masterpieces of patience and precision that I was about to taste.

Settling into the private tasting room, where hushed reverence meets hushed excitement, the glasses were poured with a quiet kind of ceremony. Before me, three expressions of Roederer’s craft: Vintage 2015, Cristal 2015, and Collection 244.

Louis Roederer Vintage 2015

There’s something about a vintage Champagne that feels like an intimate encounter with the past, like pressing your ear against history and hearing the whisper of that particular year. 2015 was a warm and generous vintage, lending this wine a richness wrapped in tension. The first sip was a slow bloom. Brioche and toasted almonds woven with ripe orchard fruits, before a cool minerality swept through like a refreshing breeze over limestone. A Champagne of confidence, of depth, and yet with that signature Roederer precision, it lingered long after the glass was empty.

Cristal 2015

And then, there was Cristal. The icon. The legend. The wine that has been whispered about in hushed tones, name-dropped in songs, and poured in palaces. But tasting it, really tasting it, is a moment unto itself. 2015 was a year of structure, and this Cristal was a symphony of balance. Chalky, ethereal, almost weightless on the palate, yet brimming with energy. Citrus zest and white peach danced with delicate florals, while a subtle salinity anchored it in place. With every sip, it revealed another layer, another facet of its intricate personality. There’s a reason Cristal is revered, not just for its prestige, but for the way it holds both power and grace in a single glass.

Collection 244

And then came Collection 244, and another chance to taste this blend. Louis Roederer’s ongoing story, told one edition at a time. A new chapter with every release, allowing wine lovers the unique joy of collecting and comparing. This was a Champagne of generosity, a harmonious blend where ripe pear and stone fruit met hazelnut and pastry cream. The freshness of Chardonnay contrasting the richness of Pinot Noir, and a quiet backbone of reserve wines gave it extraordinary depth. It felt like a warm embrace, like a conversation between past and present, between tradition and modernity.

With the last sip, I knew that these were not just wines, they were experiences. Each bottle a portal to its own moment in time, each glass a reflection of the House’s philosophy: purity, precision, and an unwavering respect for the land.

Leaving Roederer that day, I carried more than just the memory of exceptional wines. I carried the feeling of being part of something grand, something timeless.