Champagne Ruinart Brut R de Ruinart

Champagne Ruinart Brut R de Ruinart is the signature non-vintage cuvée from the oldest established Champagne house, crafted in a timeless, elegant style. Meticulously blending wines from multiple harvests, it captures Ruinart’s hallmark freshness and finesse, led by Chardonnay yet enriched with the depth of Pinot Noir. Presented in its iconic, gently curved bottle, this cuvée pays homage to nearly three centuries of Champagne heritage, dating back to 1729.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, R de Ruinart shows a luminous, pale golden colour with fine, persistent bubbles forming a delicate mousse. The nose is refined and expressive, opening with notes of ripe citrus, yellow apple and white peach, layered with hints of brioche, toasted hazelnut and subtle vanilla. Underneath, there are delicate earthy and mineral nuances that reflect its Champagne origins. On the palate, it is both generous and precise: the structure and red-fruit backbone of 60% Pinot Noir marry beautifully with the tension, freshness and purity of 40% Chardonnay. Flavours of lemon zest, redcurrant, orchard fruits and toasted bread unfold gradually, supported by a creamy texture and vibrant acidity. The inclusion of around 15% reserve wines (up to seven years old) adds complexity, depth and a long, elegant finish. With at least three years of ageing in Ruinart’s chalk cellars, this Champagne is ready to drink now, yet will hold and develop additional nuance over the next 3–5 years if properly stored.

Production
R de Ruinart is born from Premier and Grand Cru vineyards across the heart of Champagne, particularly the chalk-rich slopes that give Ruinart its distinctive minerality and finesse. Grapes are carefully hand-harvested to ensure optimal ripeness and rigorous selection in the vineyard. After gentle pressing and fermentation of each parcel separately, the blending process becomes the key art: roughly 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, enhanced by about 15% reserve wines from previous vintages to maintain the house style. The cuvée then undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle and matures for a minimum of three years in Ruinart’s historic, deep chalk cellars in Reims, where the cool, stable conditions promote fine bubbles and subtle, toasty complexity before disgorgement and dosage.

Food & Serving
R de Ruinart is a versatile Champagne that shines both as an aperitif and at the table. Its fresh acidity and fine texture make it ideal with oysters, sashimi, ceviche, or classic seafood platters; it also pairs beautifully with lightly grilled fish, scallops, sushi, and delicate poultry dishes. The toasty, brioche notes complement dishes with creamy sauces, mild cheeses, or even simple parmesan shavings and charcuterie. Serve well-chilled at around 8–10°C. A brief 10–15 minutes in the glass is usually enough for the wine to open up; decanting is not necessary, but pouring into generous tulip-shaped flutes will help express its aromatic complexity.

Producer
Founded in 1729, Ruinart is widely recognised as the oldest established Champagne house, a historic pioneer that helped shape the region’s global reputation. Based in Reims, the house is famed for its deep Crayères—UNESCO-listed chalk cellars—that provide ideal conditions for long ageing and pristine finesse. Ruinart has built its identity on an elegant, Chardonnay-driven style, expressed not only in iconic cuvées like Blanc de Blancs but also in the balanced, nuanced character of R de Ruinart. Consistently praised by leading wine critics and publications such as Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast, Ruinart holds a prestigious position among Champagne lovers worldwide for its combination of heritage, craftsmanship and unmistakable house style.