Ruinart
The world's oldest Champagne house, founded on September 1, 1729, in Reims, with Chardonnay as the golden thread running through the entire range. What's in the bottles and which glass to serve it in.
The world's oldest Champagne house
The Benedictine monk Dom Thierry Ruinart was ahead of his time, and his nephew Nicolas Ruinart began trading in Champagne alongside textiles on September 1, 1729. That was when the house was officially founded, making Ruinart the world's oldest Champagne house. It remained in the same family's hands for two centuries. The bottle is a story in itself: its shape is instantly recognizable and pays tribute to bottles from the eighteenth century.
While other houses rely on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay is the golden thread running through Ruinart's five Champagne styles, with lively, fresh aromas and a pure taste. This ranges from R de Ruinart, which already contains a relatively high 40 percent Chardonnay, to Blanc de Blancs and Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, both made from 100 percent Chardonnay. The house is based in Reims, on Rue des Crayères.
In brief
Five bottles, with Chardonnay as the common thread
From a brut with forty percent Chardonnay to two bottles made entirely from that one grape.
R de Ruinart
Delicate, fresh, and fruity, with pear, apple, and apricot, plus hazelnut and fresh almond. Blended with 49% Pinot Noir and 11% Meunier.
Blanc de Blancs
Pale golden yellow with green highlights. Ripe citrus, white flowers, white peach, and pineapple, with a mineral, refreshing finish.
Rosé
Pomegranate pink with orange highlights. Guava and lychee, raspberries and cherries, with mint and pink grapefruit to keep it balanced.
Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs
Made from 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims. White flowers with honey, candied fruit, and marzipan.
Dom Ruinart Rosé
The house’s prestige rosé, with an unusually high proportion of Chardonnay. Tropical fruit and small berries, with rose and pomegranate.
On our champagne page, we explain what blanc de blancs, blanc de noirs, and the sweetness scale from brut to demi-sec mean.
Citrus, white flowers, and a mineral finish
Citrus & white flowers
First, intensely fresh fruit, especially ripe citrus, followed by white flowers, white peach, and pineapple. That floral character is where the Chardonnay makes itself heard.
Smooth and rounded
A smooth, harmonious opening that feels rounded straight away, with nectarine and citrus. Less vinous than a Pinot Noir champagne, making it lighter on the palate.
Mineral and long
A pleasant mineral quality in a long, very refreshing finish. Exactly why these bottles pair so well with oysters.
Blanc de Blancs flavor profile. R de Ruinart is a little fuller with 49% Pinot Noir; the rosés score higher for fruitiness.
How to drink Ruinart
Chill the bottle to 8 to 10 degrees and use a spacious glass: with this house, it’s all about the aromas, not the amount of bubbles.
Neat with oysters
Both Blanc de Blancs and R de Ruinart are recommended with aperitifs and oysters, and Blanc de Blancs is also recommended with seafood and shellfish. Pour down the side of a tilted glass and fill it two-thirds full.
Glass: tulip glass →With food
The Rosé is meant to be enjoyed from aperitif through dessert; sushi, lamb and Parma ham are mentioned as pairings. Dom Ruinart Rosé pairs well with refined starters.
More about champagne →In a cocktail
You can, but it’s a shame to use Chardonnay. If you want to make a Kir Royale or a Mimosa, use a simpler brut and save this bottle for drinking on its own.
Go to cocktails →Champagne cocktails
Ruinart is best enjoyed on its own. For a champagne cocktail, a regular brut works well: the liqueur or juice will take center stage anyway.
Kir Royal
Pour crème de cassis into the glass, then top up with a dry sparkling wine.
Mimosa
Equal parts orange juice and bubbles, with a splash of Cointreau.
French 75
Shake gin, lemon and syrup, then top up with champagne.
Champagne Cocktail
Place a sugar cube with bitters at the bottom, then slowly top up.The right glass for Ruinart
A spacious bowl brings out the citrus and white flowers best. A narrow flute keeps the wine cold, but also traps the aromas. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything else you wanted to know about Ruinart
Can't find your question here? Browse our cocktail recipes or get in touch.
To the cocktail recipes →What percentage alcohol is in Ruinart?
Why is Ruinart called the oldest champagne house?
What does blanc de blancs mean?
What's the difference between Ruinart and Dom Ruinart?
Which grapes are in R de Ruinart?
Which glass is best to use?
Buy Ruinart
Want the bottle delivered straight to your door? Order Ruinart online from Gall & Gall. Gall & Gall has 7.
Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs
Prices as of November 3, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something via these links; it won't cost you anything extra. No 18, no alcohol.
