Tour · Reims

The Cristal Story: Assassination Champagne

Paranoia created prestige

Tsar Alexander II feared assassination so much that he demanded a flat-bottomed clear crystal bottle - no bomb hiding in the punt, no poison concealed in dark glass. Cristal was born from paranoia. The Tsar was assassinated anyway.

What to do there

3 things to do

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
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
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