Cristal Champagne Is A Classy Libation For Special Occasions

Cristal champagne is a luxury brand of sparkling wine produced by Louis Roederer in Reims, France. In 1867, the company was responsible for supplying its beverages to the Imperial Court of Russia under the rule of Alexander II. The Czar insisted on clear bottles that offered a view of the bubbles and left no possibility that a bomb lurked inside the traditional green glass bottles used during that time. A talented Flemish glass maker produced a bottle made of lead cristal champagne a flat bottom surface. The name refers to that material used to manufacture the bottle. The sparkling product is made with a proprietary blend of grapes and is known as a prestige cuvee. It is the most exclusive product in the vineyard's line. For nearly eight decades, this particular product was available only in the home occupied by the Russian leader. Consumers had to wait until 1945 when the wine became commercially available for the first time, to get even a taste. The maker blends Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in approximately equal amounts to produce this wine. It takes a minimum of six years for the flavor to develop into the signature taste that keeps this beverage in demand the world over. The result is a golden liquid with hints of citrus, flowers, woody and toasted elements that pair well with caviar, lobster and scallops. The vineyard added a rose version of the bubbly to the brand line in 1974. The rose uses more Pinot Noir and less Chardonnay than the golden variety. The pink hue comes from the Pinot Noir skins that are left on long enough to add some color. Louis Roederer produces nearly 400,000 bottles of Cristal champagne annually. Most of the grapes needed for production grow in the vineyards belonging to the founder's descendants. The bottle is wrapped in cellophane to eliminate the liquid's exposure to UV light.