New gift box marks 50 years for Dom Ruinart

Dom Ruinart is celebrating its 50th birthday this year with a new gift box for its 1998 vintage.

The packaging, designed by Dutch artist Maarten Baas, includes a mirrored lid of melted metal which transforms into a tray.

Inside the new container are a pair of flutes with sculpted glass bases and a bottle of Dom Ruinart 1998, specially stamped to mark the occasion.

Dom Ruinart was launched in 1959 as a tribute vintage to Dom Thierry Ruinart, a French Benedictine monk and scholar, and uncle of Nicolas Ruinart, founder of the Champagne house in 1729.

Dom Thierry Ruinart was a close friend of Dom Pérignon.

The Dom Ruinart cuvée is a blend of Chardonnay grands crus.

Flute and gift box designer Maarten Baas lives and works in Waalre, near Eindhoven, in the southern region of The Netherlands, where he produces handmade furniture and develops new concepts and designs.

Additional information on the designer can be found at www.maartenbaas.com.

Patrick Schmitt, 06.08.2009