Collection: Louis Roederer

Louis Roederer is one of the few large champagne houses still family-owned, and one of the very few that grows most of its own grapes rather than buying them in. It also farms a large part of its vineyards biodynamically — unusual at this scale.

The house signature is low dosage: less sugar added at the end than almost anyone else. That is why Roederer tastes of fruit and texture rather than sweetness, and why it is one of the most recommended names among people who drink champagne regularly.

Collection replaced Brut Premier

In 2021 Roederer retired Brut Premier — its non-vintage for decades — and replaced it with Collection. The number on the bottle is the count of Roederer harvests since the house was founded: Collection 244, 245, and so on.

The point of the change is honesty. Instead of pretending a non-vintage tastes identical every year, each Collection is openly a different wine, blended around a base vintage plus a perpetual reserve — a solera-style library started in 2012 that gives depth an ordinary blend cannot reach.

If you still see Brut Premier here, that is the older bottling. Same house, same low-dosage style, and worth buying at the price.

Cristal

Created in 1876 for Tsar Alexander II — which is why the bottle is clear glass with a flat base: the Tsar wanted to see what was inside, and did not want a punt where anything could be hidden.

Roughly 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, all from Roederer's own Grand Cru vineyards, aged around six years on its lees. In Hong Kong it is instantly recognised, which is the point at this level.

How to choose

Best value in the range — Collection. Among regular champagne drinkers it is one of the most recommended bottles at the price.
A serious occasion — Cristal.
Something unusual — Brut Nature Rosé, made with Philippe Starck. Zero dosage, and not a wine most people have tried.