Notes:

• Producer: Founded in 1729, Ruinart holds the distinction of being the oldest established Champagne house, predating every other grande marque in the region. Inspired by the vision of Dom Thierry Ruinart, a Benedictine monk who recognized Champagne's extraordinary potential, the house quickly established itself as a pioneer of luxury Champagne. Today, Ruinart is internationally recognized for its elegant, Chardonnay-driven style, sourcing fruit from many of Champagne's finest Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards. Under longtime Chef de Cave Frédéric Panaïotis, the house refined a philosophy centered on freshness, purity, and precision, combining meticulous grape selection with extended lees aging to create Champagnes of remarkable finesse. While Ruinart is celebrated for its Blanc de Blancs and prestige cuvées, R de Ruinart remains the flagship expression of the house—offering a classic introduction to nearly three centuries of Champagne expertise.
• Vineyard: R de Ruinart is a blend of approximately 40% Chardonnay, 49% Pinot Noir, and 11% Pinot Meunier, sourced from 40 to 50 different crus throughout Champagne. Chardonnay, primarily from the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, provides elegance, citrus freshness, and mineral precision. Pinot Noir contributes structure, body, and red fruit character, while Pinot Meunier adds approachability and roundness. Reserve wines account for approximately 20–30% of the final blend, ensuring remarkable consistency while adding depth and complexity to each release.
• Winemaking: Each vineyard parcel is vinified separately in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve aromatic purity and freshness. Full malolactic fermentation softens the wine while maintaining balance, and a significant proportion of reserve wines is incorporated into every blend to preserve the distinctive Ruinart house style. Following secondary fermentation, the wine spends two to three years aging on its lees, developing additional texture, brioche complexity, and a refined mousse before disgorgement. Finished with a Brut dosage of approximately 7–8 g/L, R de Ruinart achieves a harmonious balance between freshness, richness, and elegance, making it one of Champagne's benchmark non-vintage cuvées.
• Technical Details: Champagne AOC; Non-Vintage Brut; approximately 40% Chardonnay, 49% Pinot Noir, 11% Pinot Meunier; fruit sourced from 40–50 crus across Champagne; 20–30% reserve wines; stainless steel vinification; full malolactic fermentation; 2–3 years sur lie; Brut dosage (approximately 7–8 g/L); 12% alcohol.
• Food Pairing: R de Ruinart is an exceptionally versatile Champagne that pairs beautifully with oysters, shrimp, crab, sushi, smoked salmon, roast chicken, creamy cheeses, and light poultry dishes. Aromas of ripe pear, golden apple, apricot, citrus zest, white flowers, toasted brioche, and almond lead into a palate that is creamy yet vibrant, with fine bubbles and a lingering chalky finish. The generous proportion of Chardonnay gives the wine lift and elegance, while Pinot Noir provides depth and structure, making it equally enjoyable as an aperitif or throughout an entire meal. Its balance, consistency, and timeless style explain why it has remained Ruinart's signature cuvée for generations.