Ruinart
Ruinart is the oldest established Champagne house in the world, founded in 1729 in Reims, France. The house is celebrated for its Chardonnay-forward style, with the Blanc de Blancs expression standing at the heart of its identity and reflecting the elegance and finesse that has long defined the brand.
Now part of the LVMH portfolio, Ruinart continues to craft prestige cuvées prized by collectors and Champagne enthusiasts alike. Known for its distinctive frosted, curved bottle inspired by the 18th-century original, Ruinart pairs heritage with a refined, chalk-driven house style rooted in the Chardonnay grape.
Ruinart is the oldest established Champagne house in the world, founded in 1729 in Reims, France.
Read more about Ruinart
Ruinart is the oldest established Champagne house in the world, founded in 1729 in Reims, France. The house is celebrated for its Chardonnay-forward style, with the Blanc de Blancs expression standing at the heart of its identity and reflecting the elegance and finesse that has long defined the brand.
Now part of the LVMH portfolio, Ruinart continues to craft prestige cuvées prized by collectors and Champagne enthusiasts alike. Known for its distinctive frosted, curved bottle inspired by the 18th-century original, Ruinart pairs heritage with a refined, chalk-driven house style rooted in the Chardonnay grape.
History and Heritage
Ruinart traces its origins to 1729, when Nicolas Ruinart established the house in Reims, making it the first Champagne house dedicated to the production of sparkling wine. The venture was inspired by the vision of Nicolas's uncle, Dom Thierry Ruinart, a Benedictine monk who recognized the potential of the 'wine with bubbles' emerging from the Champagne region.
The house is famed for its historic crayères — ancient chalk cellars carved during Gallo-Roman times, located beneath Reims and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These deep, cool chalk pits provide ideal conditions for the slow maturation of Champagne.
Today Ruinart operates as part of the Moët Hennessy division of LVMH, maintaining its reputation as a benchmark for Chardonnay-led Champagne while honoring nearly three centuries of winemaking tradition.
House Style and Production
Ruinart's defining characteristic is its emphasis on Chardonnay, which lends its wines a signature freshness, elegance, and delicate minerality. The grape features prominently across the range, even in blends that incorporate Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Like all Champagne, Ruinart's wines are made using the traditional method (méthode traditionnelle), with secondary fermentation in the bottle to create the fine, persistent bubbles. Extended aging on the lees in the chalk crayères contributes complexity and finesse.
The house style tends toward bright citrus, white flowers, and subtle brioche notes, with a chalky, refined finish. This lighter, aromatic profile makes Ruinart a versatile choice as an aperitif or alongside seafood and lighter dishes.
The Range and What to Expect
The core of the range is Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, a non-vintage Champagne made entirely from Chardonnay that showcases the house's aromatic, elegant style. It is often considered the flagship expression.
R de Ruinart is the house's classic brut, a blend led by Chardonnay but including Pinot Noir, offering a rounder, approachable profile. The prestige cuvée, Dom Ruinart, is a vintage Blanc de Blancs produced only in exceptional years and aged extensively for greater depth and complexity.
Ruinart also produces a rosé, blending Chardonnay with Pinot Noir for red fruit character and freshness. When shopping, expect standard 750ml bottles, with vintage and prestige expressions commanding higher prices reflecting their limited production and aging.