Ruinart lays claim to ‘world’s first’ rosé Champagne

Champagne house Ruinart has uncovered documents which it says prove it was the first to make a Champagne rosé in 1764, marking 250 years this year.

According to the Champagne house, recently discovered entries from the Maison’s accounts book includes a record from 14 March 1764 detailing a shipment of “a basket of 120 bottles”, 60 bottles of which were Oeil de Perdrix.

The term Oeil de Perdrix refers to a delicate pink coppery colour, which Ruinart say proves it was shipping a pink Champagne as early as 1764, 250 years ago.

This rosé Champagne was likely to have been made by adding colouring from elderberries to obtain the pink colour that was the fashion of the time.

The first shipment of Ruinart rosé went to Germany, ordered for His Serene Highness the Duke of Mecklembourg-Strelitz.

Frédéric Panaïotis, Ruinart chef de caves said: “As the oldest Champagne House in the region, our history and heritage is very important to us and we were therefore very excited to discover another first for the House and the Champagne world.

“We are very proud of our rosé Champagnes and it is wonderful to know that the history of rosé Champagne started at Ruinart. It goes to show that the fashion for rosé Champagne is by no means new – it was the Champagne of choice for the elite 250 years ago!”

Today, Ruinart’s Rosé is made by blending white and red wines – a method that has been in use since the middle of the 19th century.

The rosé is made with Chardonnay from the Montagne de Reims and Pinot Noir.