It is often said that you know that you have made it in the world of music when the after party thrown in your honor after your concert is scattered with bottles of Cristal champagne. It is the drink that is favored by musicians all around the world and Cristal 2002 is among the very best in luxury.

The 2002 harvest came around following an excellent year when all the factors that go towards making a great champagne came into alignment. These included temperatures that are warm without excessive heat or sun and which were preceded by a mild winter with a reduction of about 20% in rainfall during the growth cycle with cool nights and a cold wind from August to September. Champagne makers favor all of these conditions as when all combined go towards ensuring a wonderful vintage champagne from grapes that have been perfectly matured. The flavors of grapes are nicely concentrated with the harvesting of the grapes beginning in September for Chardonnays that has on average a sugar concentration which is superior to 11% natural alcohol.

Cristal champagne came about following Tsar Alexander the second requesting to Louis Roederer to go one step further and produce for him a unique wine that came in its own unique bottle. This resulted in Cristal champagne resulting from the very best selection from seven of the finest vineyards in an exceptional luxury white crystal bottle. This was a champagne that was only produced during the great years and when the Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs ripeness was at a subtle and precise balance. The champagne is one of the regions most prestigious wines.

It has a style that is precise, balanced and silky and comes with a powerful harmonious rich body and great purity. It also has a remarkable ability for aging. Cristal champagne is composed of 55% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay with 20% of wines being matured in some of the very best oak casks with batonnage undertaken weekly and with no malolactic fermentation. It is produced from only the finest of vineyards in Cote des Blancs, Vallee de la Marne and Montagne de Reims. All of the wines will have undergone five years of maturation in cellars and will have been at rest for eight months following disgorgement to reach perfect maturity.

The taste is one of an intense delicate champagne that reveals a pure combination of sugared flowers, cocoas, toasted hazelnuts and candied citrus fruits. The texture is one of silkiness that comes with an explosion of ripe fruits, red fruits, white chocolate and caramel. These are typical of one of the very best Cristal champagne in the world. It is a very powerful and elegant wine that provides a crescendo of sensations with the end result being fresh and crisp.

Editorial | Image Courtesy Of Louis Roederer