The Cristal Story: Assassination Champagne

What to do there

3 things to do

1. 1

   Book the Cellars Tour

   wine Price: high

   Book the Louis Roederer Experience (from €75, louis-roederer.com). The cellars hold 2.5 million bottles. By 1873, Roederer shipped roughly a third of production to Russia - the Tsar was their most important customer. Book 2+ weeks ahead as tours are limited.

   BACKUP: If Roederer is booked, Taittinger and Veuve Clicquot in Reims also have excellent cellar tours.

   Log Memory
2. 2

   See the Original Cristal Bottle

   history Free

   During the tour, ask to see the original Cristal bottle design from 1876. Tsar Alexander II demanded: flat bottom (no place to hide a bomb in the punt), clear lead-crystal glass (visible contents, no hidden poison). The Flemish glassmaker created a completely new bottle. Ask the guide about the Three Emperors Dinner of 1867 where this paranoia began.

   BACKUP: If you don't get to see the original, photos are in the visitor center.

   Log Memory
3. 3

   Taste Current Cristal

   wine Price: high

   The premium tasting includes Cristal. Note: Alexander II's paranoia was justified - he survived at least 5 assassination attempts before being killed in 1881. The champagne survived; the Tsar did not. Cristal wasn't released commercially until 1945. Today the same flat-bottomed bottle (now without lead) is wrapped in golden cellophane to protect from UV light.

   BACKUP: If Cristal tasting is sold out, buy a bottle at the shop.

   Log Memory