Louis Roederer

Louis Roederer

Louis Roederer is a champagne house based in Reims, led by Frédéric Rouzaud in the 7th generation. The house farms 240 hectares of its own vineyards, 150 hectares organically. The vineyard sites are located in Grand Cru and Premier Cru areas – including Aÿ, Avize, Cramant, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Dizy, and Cumières.

History

Camille Olry-Roederer took over leadership of the house in 1932 after the death of her husband Léon Olry-Roederer. Under her guidance, Louis Roederer developed over 43 years into one of the most significant houses in Champagne. In 1961, an extraordinary bottle was produced from the Les Volibarts parcel in Mesnil-sur-Oger, which was tasted in 2017 and impressively documented Camille's vision. Her era ended in 1975 – she had led the house through turbulent times and laid the foundations for today's direction.

In 2009, vines were planted for the parcel wine Milnon, a massal selection from their own domains. This step symbolically represents the connection between historical heritage and visionary ambition that continues to define the house today.

Vignoble & Soil

The 240 hectares are spread across eight villages: Aÿ, Avize, Cramant, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Dizy, and Cumières. These sites were strategically acquired after the phylloxera crisis and count among the most valuable terroirs in Champagne. 150 of the 240 hectares are now farmed organically – a proportion that continues to grow.

The Les Volibarts parcel in Mesnil-sur-Oger covers 0.55 hectares with southeast exposure, planted with 100% Chardonnay. Here the Cuvée Hommage à Camille – Les Volibarts is created, a Blanc de Blancs that is only produced in years of full ripeness. The Climat Milnon, planted since 2009 with massal selection, produces an independent red wine in limited edition.

Viticulture & Sustainability

Louis Roederer farms 150 of 240 hectares according to organic principles, certified with the AB label. Vinification is done parcel by parcel to preserve the identity of individual sites. The approach is respectful and long-term oriented – no quick solutions, but consistent work in the vineyard over years.

Organic farming isn't a marketing argument, but the expression of a clear philosophy: visionary spirit, structure, and precision are born in the vineyard, not in the cellar.

Vinification

Fermentation lasts longer than usual to build more structure. Part of the base wines mature in wood, others in stainless steel or clay vessels – depending on the parcel and vintage. The Collection series uses 36% Réserve Perpétuelle, a solera-like system with vintages from 2012 to 2018. Plus 10% barrel-aged reserve wines. Around 35% of the base wines undergo malolactic fermentation; with Cristal they skip it to maintain the taut minerality.

The dosage ranges between 7 and 8 g/l – enough balance to connect freshness and depth without blurring the contours. Innovation and precision aren't opposites, but two sides of the same philosophy.

The Cuvées in Detail

Collection 244

Base 2019, 41% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir, 26% Meunier. 54% base wines from 2019, 36% Réserve Perpétuelle, 10% reserve wines from oak barrels. Around 35% of base wines with malolactic fermentation. Clear, precise, with fresh fruit, fine spice, and taut minerality – a signature that runs through all Collection vintages.

41% Chardonnay / 33% Pinot Noir / 26% Meunier · 7 g/l Dosage · Base 2019

Collection 245

Base 2020, identical assemblage as Collection 244. 34% Réserve Perpétuelle plus 10% barrel-aged reserve wines, disgorged 2023. White flowers, lemon zest, pear, salted almond, fine ripeness. More calm and depth than 244 – the 2020 vintage shows its own character.

41% Chardonnay / 33% Pinot Noir / 26% Meunier · 7 g/l Dosage · Base 2020

Vintage 2016

60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay from Grand Cru and Premier Cru sites, partially aged in wood. Ripe yellow fruits, roasted almonds, honey. Profound, structured, with creamy texture and salty minerality. 2016 was a year with cool spring and hot summer – the tension between ripeness and freshness is clearly perceptible.

60% Pinot Noir / 40% Chardonnay · 7.5 g/l Dosage · Vintage 2016 · Grand Cru & Premier Cru

Cristal 2015

60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, partially aged in wood, no malolactic fermentation. Extensively mineral, deep, citrusy with salty energy, fine spices, and silky length. 2015 was hot and dry – the taut structure balances the ripeness. Serving temperature 10–11°C to not mask the precision.

60% Pinot Noir / 40% Chardonnay · Vintage 2015 · Grand Cru & Premier Cru

Hommage à Camille – Les Volibarts

100% Chardonnay from the 0.55-hectare Les Volibarts parcel in Mesnil-sur-Oger, southeast exposure, organic farming. Aging on lees in clay, stainless steel, and wood vessels without grape separation, after 12 months assemblage of the three vessels. Only produced in years of full ripeness – a tribute to Camille Olry-Roederer and her vision of parcel-precise work.

100% Chardonnay · 12 months aging · Mesnil-sur-Oger, Les Volibarts parcel (0.55 ha)

Hommage à Camille – Milnon

Red wine from the Climat Milnon, organic farming. The vines were planted in 2009 with massal selection from their own domain. Limited edition, vinified parcel by parcel. A still wine that shows the depth and precision of the house even outside the champagne categories.

Climat Milnon · massal selection 2009 · Organic

My Tastings

• Collection 244 (2019) · 2025-09-02
• Cristal 2015 (2015) · 2025-07-24
• Collection 245 (2020) · 2025-05-13
• Vintage 2016 (2016) · 2025-02-18
• Collection 244 · 2024-12-26

Facts

Address	21 Bd Lundy, 51100 Reims
Category	NM
Leadership	Frédéric Rouzaud (7th generation)
Vineyard area	240 ha (150 ha organic)
Sites	Aÿ, Avize, Cramant, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Dizy, Cumières
Certification	AB (organic farming)
Website	champagne-roederer.com
Instagram	@louisroederer_
Phone	+33 3 26 40 42 11

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Sources for this portrait: Maison website, my own tastings, CRM data, and cross-checks. Fields without sufficient verification remain open.