Ruinart

CHARDONNAY, SYMBOL OF RUINART TASTE

Mostly selected from the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims regions, chardonnay, the emblem of Ruinart taste, distills its elegance and freshness into all the Maison's cuvées.

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A SIGNATURE GRAPE VARIETY


In Champagne, Chardonnay (white wine grapes), Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (red wine grapes) are the region's three main grape varieties. They belong to the seven grape varieties authorized by the "Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée Champagne". Chardonnay now accounts for 30% of Champagne vineyards. 


In 1947, under Bertrand Mure's leadership, the Maison made a bold move to craft a champagne that embodied freshness and elegance, marking the beginning of chardonnay's prominence as a signature grape. Known for its exquisite qualities, this grape variety has since become an essential component in all of Ruinart's cuvées. Since 1959, it has been showcased in the Dom Ruinart vintages, where the Maison exclusively selects Grand Cru chardonnays from the finest harvests.

AN ELEGANT BUT FRAGILE GRAPE VARIETY


Chardonnay reveals great minerality, counterbalanced by a certain roundness. Fragile, it requires special care and plenty of sunshine. Too low or too high a temperature during budburst or flowering can have disastrous consequences on the harvest, making it a demanding grape variety. Chardonnay's elegance and lightness really come into their own on chalk soils, which are ideal for vine growth. For Ruinart, it is grown in Taissy and Sillery, the oldest known Grands Crus of chardonnay.

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"Each chardonnay brings its own share of complexity, depending on the origin of its terroir."

Frédéric Panaïotis, Cellar Master at Maison Ruinart.

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THE CHARDONNAY LEAF BY VIK MUNIZ


On the occasion of his Carte Blanche for Ruinart, Brazilian artist Vik Muniz questions our relationship with reality and memory. During his artistic residency in Reims, the artist immersed himself in the world of Ruinart and discovers its vineyards and cellars alongside Frédéric Panaïotis, Cellar Master. Inspired by the links between man and nature, he created a Chardonnay leaf several meters long, composed of organic elements (twigs, vine leaves, vines) from the Sillery vineyards. A photograph of this work is on display in Reims and can be viewed as part of the tour of the cellars.

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