NV Ruinart - Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs (750ml)

Founded in 1729 by Nicolas Ruinart, this house holds the distinction of being the oldest Champagne producer in existence. From the outset it built its reputation on trade with wealthy clients across Europe, and it has kept its cellars in the ancient chalk quarries beneath Reims ever since, a network first carved out in Roman times. In the 1940s, family member Bertrand Mure steered the house toward Chardonnay as its defining grape, a shift that shaped the identity Ruinart carries today. 

This cuvée is made entirely from Chardonnay, drawn from twenty-five to thirty crus concentrated in the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims, with additional fruit from the Sézannais and the Vesle valley rounding out the blend. Reserve wines typically make up 20 to 40 percent of the final assemblage, helping preserve a consistent style despite shifting harvest conditions. Grapes are pressed gently and fermented largely in stainless steel, then aged on the lees for several years in the house's underground chalk cellars before a light dosage is added at disgorgement.

Pale straw in color with green and golden reflections, this Champagne offers vivid aromas of citrus, ripe pear, and white flowers, joined by a subtle spiced note of ginger. The palate is taut and precise, carried by lively acidity into a long, mineral finish. It pairs beautifully with raw oysters, sushi, or a citrus-dressed salad.