Ruinart: The World’s First Champagne House

Every new champagne creation is often a result of the history of its maison. This is also true for the new Blanc Singulier Édition 19 Champagne, which recently made its debut.

Founded in 1729 during the Age of Enlightenment, Ruinart is the world’s first Champagne maison. The founder was a Benedictine monk, Dom Thierry Ruinart. He was introduced into the secret of making “sparkling” wine by none other than his friend and confidant, the monk Dom Pierre Pérignon, at the Abbey of Hautvillers. Throughout its history, Maison Ruinart has been a pioneer in innovation in the production of Champagne. In 1769, the maison acquired several old chalk quarries where limestone and chalk had previously been mined. Thus, it created one of the first wine cellars in the region. Because the consistently cool temperatures of the quarries proved perfect for the long-term aging of Champagne. Today, the quarries are part of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Ruinart has thus stood for nearly 300 years for constancy, tradition, and also progress. The focus of the maison lies on the Chardonnay grape variety. The cuvées made from this single major white grape variety of the region are characterized by their high aromatic intensity and balance.

Adaptation to climate change

Climate change does not spare Champagne either. Rising temperatures and changing weather conditions have increasingly influenced wine production in recent years. Ruinart has embraced this challenge and adapted its approaches to continue producing Champagne of the highest quality. This adaptability is reflected in the new Blanc Singulier Édition 19 cuvée. It is a direct result of these efforts.

The vintage 2019, from which a large portion of the base wines for Édition 19 originate, was marked by record temperatures that also posed new challenges for the winemakers of Champagne. In the face of climate change, they must deepen their understanding and adapt their practices to preserve the uniqueness of the terroir. Ruinart intends to utilize the insights from Blanc Singulier to better address these changes.

Ruinart Blanc Singulier Édition 19:
Witness to Climate Change

But what lies behind this cuvée now? To admit, until recently, I was not familiar with the name and origin of this particular sparkling wine from Ruinart. However, the story behind it immediately fascinated me. The Ruinart Blanc Singulier Édition 19 is vinified exclusively in very warm to hot years. It is meant to reflect the influences of these conditions on the aromatic profile, texture, and taste of a Champagne. A remarkable and worthwhile experiment, considering that even in the cool, damp Champagne region, there have been occurrences of water stress and heatwaves in recent years.

Now, let’s get to the facts:
The Édition 19 is 100% Chardonnay and aims to highlight the different aromatic expressions that emerge in warmer years. It was composed of 77% base wines from the 2019 vintage and 23% reserve wines. The reserve wines come from the 2018, 2017, and 2016 vintages and were aged in both oak barrels and stainless steel tanks.

Tasting notes

The Blanc Singulier Édition 19 Champagne from Ruinart impresses with a diverse, mature aroma. On the nose, citrus notes dominate initially, complemented by almond and bread aromas. Later on, orange peel and apple skin become distinctly noticeable, accompanied by hints of marzipan and a warm, spicy note.

On the palate, the champagne starts off ripe, carried by delicate bubbles, before transitioning into a round and opulent texture. Here, the warmth of the 2019 vintage is clearly evident. Flavors of ripe peach, pear, and candied lemon with a hint of velvety peels. The finish is long, spreading with considerable strength across the palate, marked by distinct warm, spicy, and nutty nuances.

A fitting placement within the Ruinart Portfolio

To better contextualize the new champagne, I also tasted the flagship of the maison, the R de Ruinart, and the Blanc de Blancs.

The R de Ruinart, a classic Champagne blend, impressed me particularly with its fine balance, effervescence, and freshness. Green apple, grapefruit zest, white and yellow blossoms combine with a flattering texture and fullness. Not too sweet, not too austere. Utterly charming and an everybody’s darling for any occasion.

The Blanc de Blancs, like the Blanc Singulier, a pure Chardonnay, impresses with its intensity. Ripe grapefruit mixes with lemon zest and bread crust. On the palate, an embracing creamy texture with soft acidity fills the mouth. Brightly spicy, fruity with yellow fruits, and mouth-filling on the finish. In comparison, the Blanc Singulier Édition 19 offers a more intense, warmer, yet decidedly more complex aroma and texture.

Final Thoughts

The Ruinart Blanc Singulier Édition 19 is a remarkable Champagne that underscores the innovative spirit of Ruinart. It demonstrates the house’s deep understanding of Chardonnay and its responsiveness to changes in nature. This cuvée invites you to discover a new facet of Champagne. Certainly, the Blanc Singulier tends to be among the more opulent, spicy, and mature Champagnes. Indeed, these characteristics are typical of warm vintages. The challenges of the 2019 vintage are skillfully reflected in Édition 19. An experience for discovering new Champagne aromas and for enthusiasts of opulent, spicy Champagnes.

Disclosure: The wines for the tasting were provided by Maison Ruinart.