Brut Nature 2018
The result of a free-spirited collaboration between the Louis Roederer Champagne House and creator Philippe Starck, this pared-down, zero-dosage champagne captures the essence of Cumières' black soils in a sunny vintage. Produced exclusively in warm, dry years, it reflects our vision of a “climate change laboratory” through its singular taste.
Discover the exchanges between Frédéric Rouzaud, Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon and Philippe Starck, at the heart of the vineyard.
A climate change laboratory
For almost 20 years, our Brut Nature has been a marker of the changes occurring in the Champagne region and is a pioneering model of experimentation. Produced exclusively in hot, dry years, it is a forerunner of the champagnes of tomorrow and a platform for experimentation. The winegrowing practices used in its production are tailored to this specific context and offer a glimpse into the future of the region's viticulture.
Brut Nature is the embodiment of this changing Champagne region, reflecting the shifting landscape in its restrained style and understated design. A veritable incubator of innovation, Brut Nature benefits all the Louis Roederer champagnes as it helps us anticipate and adapt to these changes.
« Brut Nature is the showcase of our most innovative experiments of the last 20 years, it is a ‘laboratory of climate change’ that has allowed us to rediscover certain traditional and sometimes forgotten skills, such as knowing how to bring out the best in the original Champagne grape varieties or the practice of complantation. »
A testing ground
The black soils of Cumières, the birthplace of Brut Nature
The Cumières clay hillside, with 10 hectares of vines facing the sun and basking in its light, gives rise to fruit of remarkable fragrance and richness. These black soils, on the banks of the Marne River, have long been known to produce generous, opulent and intensely fragrant grapes.
Innovation at its most humble based on traditional practices and old grape varieties
Aware of the changing times and above all, the changing climate, and finding one of the answers to our constraints in certain traditional practices, we embarked on this path of experimentation almost 20 years ago. In these cool soils, during the hottest years, we uncovered a deep seam of inspiration. By introducing new viticultural practices to these clay-rich terroirs, working in reverse to restore their original balance, we began to catch a glimpse of what the champagne of tomorrow might look like.
In the past, different plants were often planted together. Champagne Louis Roederer is reviving this practice to further enhance the freshness and flavour of its wines.
This land is worked using gentle, organic methods, guided by a form of viticulture that preserves the terroir’s natural resonance through practices inspired by biodynamics.
On these plots in Cumières, the vineyards have been replanted, either en masse or in rows, with Pinot blanc, Arbanne, Petit Meslie and Pinot gris. The complantation of grape varieties as part of a traditional winegrowing approach further enhances this expression of origin. “This is the genius of the traditional grape varieties, the strength of their complementarity and their ability to adapt over time. Our vision has always been one of diversity, preserving contrasts while creating connections. It is also a heritage project, as we have maintained a conservatory of old vines for over two decades. Preserving this genetic material not only safeguards the taste of our grapes but also strengthens the resilience and adaptability of our vines to whatever challenges climate change may bring." explains Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon.
Brut Nature is a continuous experiment, a wine in constant evolution building our knowledge about genetic diversity. It is an ever-changing testament to collective intelligence, shaping and redefining the future of the Champagne region.
The 2018 Brut Nature Wines
Brut Nature White 2018
Charming, delicate and refined, Brut Nature 2018 takes the generous character of the year and turns it into a wave of fruity, saline freshness. It exudes harmony and precision, revealing the exceptional limestone backbone created by these cool terroirs in Cumières.
Brut Nature Rosé 2018
The Brut Nature Rosé is fabulously fresh, with a clean, vibrant fruit that reflects both the terroir and the infusion technique used to create it. This is a lovely trim champagne of immense charm, seductive and well-structured, revealing a dense body lifted by a bright, juicy, saline sensation.
« By allowing us to interpret his words, Philippe enabled us to go beyond boundaries that we would not otherwise have crossed were it not for his clear vision and guidance. The more precise he was in the description of his dream, the more precise we were able to be in the creation of this champagne. »
Packaging of understated elegance
Philippe Starck‘s packaging design encapsulates both his vision and the essence of the wine. This understated, pared-down aesthetic tells the story of the origins of the wine, the humility of nature and the simplicity behind its creation. The carefully chosen “beige-pink terracotta" and "warm beige" shades reflect this philosophy. Soft and discreet, modern and sophisticated, they represent the elegance of the land and the truth of the terroir. These tones are repeated on the gift boxes, combined with a metallic silver lettering, like a living signature, rooted in the earth yet deeply human.
« Brut Nature is so honest, so minimal, that I didn't want to add anything to it. I wanted to do as little as possible with it. A few words etched on the bottle, purely descriptive, like a cellar note. Nothing but the truth and honesty of the wine. »