Two bottles of Cristal Brut
Produced by Louis Roederer
1983 vintage
Champagne, France
Original filling quantity: 0.75 l
Fill level: < 3 cm
Wine Spectator (1989): 88/100

This lot comprises two bottles of 1983 Cristal Brut produced by Louis Roederer in the Champagne wine region.

The French wine region of Champagne is the birthplace and (legally protected) namesake of the world’s most famous sparkling wine. The heart of the region in terms of wine production is the coronation city of Reims, however the towns of Epernay and Chalons-sur-Marne also play an important role. Champagne is the northernmost winegrowing region of France’s Parisian basin, around 150 kilometers east of Paris. The region was officially extended in 1927.

The secret behind the success of Champagne is heavily down to the soil type, climate and the legally-defined production techniques. The soil, termed “Craie à bélemnites”, is consistently chalky with a partially sandy surface. The conditions are simply perfect for the production of sparkling wine, as the grape varieties that grow here produce a low-alcohol, delicate and acidic base wine. The chalk allows roots to form deep in the earth and simultaneously provide a good water reserve.

The chalk floor also provides the conditions for the perfect cellar and the town of Reims is therefore honeycombed with underground cellars. Year in, year out, these cellars provide an temperature of 10 to 11 °C and a humidity of 70 to 90% - the optimal conditions for years of storing and maturing Champagne.

Every year, around 300 million bottles of Champagne are produced. Both sparkling and still wines must be bottled before they leave Champagne – that means no tanks, barrels or other bulk quantities. This makes it impossible to reprocess Champagne base wines outside of the region.

1983 was a very good vintage for Champagne. The wines are powerful and full of intense flavors, yet well-balanced. They are a great pleasure to drink now.

The 1983 vintage Cristal was rated 88 points in a 1989 issue of Wine Spectator.

The fill levels are good (< 3 cm). The labels are soiled; the capsules are in perfect condition.

Shipping costs excl. statutory VAT and plus 2,5% (+VAT) shipping insurance.