Founded in 1729, Ruinart is the oldest Champagne house but, in 1946, they were on the verge of disappearing. The two World Wars had not been kind. They owned a mere 17 hectares of vineyard, had a meager 800 cases of wine in their cellars, and just two customers, both in Paris – the grand restaurant, Maxime’s, and an up-scale cathouse, Le Sphinx.

Rebuilding was slow, and the Ruinart family, lacking resources, concentrated on the domestic market where today it’s a respected brand. It also ranks somewhere in the mid-teens in world sales, but is barely known in America.

Now owned by the luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, it has been overshadowed by company's larger names: Dom Pérignon, Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot. This is not necessarily an oversight – with it’s distinctive style and small production it’s not suited to the high profile marketing efforts deployed by the marquis names, “Five years ago we were barely in the US market” Chef du Cave  Frédéric Panaiotis explained during a recent tasting of Ruinart’s impressive lineup of cuvées. - Recommended by Forbes

JR 17
The blend of the R de Ruinart of the famous House Ruinart is made from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, of a fine and luminous style. Its colour is yellow with golden highlights, of a crystal-like brilliance and with light and persistent bubbles. On the nose it is fine, fruity and fresh, marked by notes of pear, hazelnut, almond but also acacia, hawthorn and delicious aromas of fresh butter and pastries. On the palate, this champagne is a perfectly balanced wine, indulging in a harmony of freshness with a delicious texture coating the palate to the finale.