READ · COMPARE · EXPLAIN
Ruinart: Blending remains even with a single variety
This is a Champagne house based in Reims. They produce Blanc de Blancs made only from Chardonnay, as well as rosé that combines Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Explaining why Ruinart's Blanc de Blancs, while made from a single variety, is still a blended wine.
Questions for this course
If it's 100% Chardonnay, does that mean just one grape source and vintage?
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France / Champagne / Reims
Aliases & spellings: Ruinart / Ruinart
Update date: 2026-09-24
Single grape variety, multiple vineyard sites.
Ruinart’s Blanc de Blancs contains only Chardonnay grapes, but combines fruit from 25 to 30 crus. Chardonnays from areas such as the Montagne de Reims as well as the Côte des Blancs are used.
There is not just a single vintage.
The official explanation mentions that 20–30% reserve wine from previous years is included. Choosing to use only a single grape variety and choosing to use only a single vintage are independent decisions.
Connect the selection of raw material with winemaking
Alcoholic fermentation is carried out in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, and malolactic fermentation is also undertaken. When considering flavor, check not only for Chardonnay but also the site, year, and fermentation conditions.
What to align and what to compare.
Grapes
- Conditions to standardize
- Ruinart
- Conditions for comparison.
- Chardonnay only
- Additional points to confirm
- Single variety
Place and year
- Conditions to standardize
- Ruinart
- Conditions for comparison.
- 25–30 crus / reserves 20–30%
- Additional points to confirm
- Multiple locations and vintages
Fermentation
- Conditions to standardize
- Ruinart
- Conditions for comparison.
- Fermentation in stainless steel with MLF conducted
- Additional points to confirm
- The way a wine is made is not determined by the grape variety alone.
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
Readings on Ruinart materials: Blending remains even with single-variety
Compare the stated conditions in the documentation. Numbers specifying vintages should be treated as information for that specific year.
This summarizes materials published by producers, regional groups, and importers. Each source includes the publisher and the date the material was checked.
| Comparison items | What can be determined from the materials | Ability to distinguish by reading |
|---|---|---|
| Grapes | Chardonnay only | Single variety |
| Place and year | 25–30 crus / reserves 20–30% | Multiple locations and vintages |
| Fermentation | Fermentation in stainless steel with MLF conducted | The way a wine is made is not determined by the grape variety alone. |
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Read the explanation for each question
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Where is the source of grapes for the Blanc de Blancs?
Even with a single variety, grapes from multiple locations within the region are used.
What does 20–30% reserve mean?
It is possible to blend across vintages even with Chardonnay only. The '20–30% reserve' refers to the proportion of base wine from previous years. This does not contradict the statement of 100% Chardonnay. The former relates to vintage, the latter to variety—two different aspects.
Malolactic fermentation?
Confirm separately the fermentation vessel and the presence or absence of MLF.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Please explain differences in raw materials and winemaking by reading the table and sources.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Comparison items | What can be determined from the materials | Ability to distinguish by reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grapes | Chardonnay only | Single variety | |
| Place and year | 25–30 crus / reserves 20–30% | Multiple locations and vintages | |
| Fermentation | Fermentation in stainless steel with MLF conducted | The way a wine is made is not determined by the grape variety alone. |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Explain why Ruinart's Blanc de Blancs, while from a single variety, is still a blended wine.
Check after writing
- Did you specify the label, vintage, and scope of materials to be compared?
- Did you distinguish and explain the three items in the table?
- Did you separate verified facts from points to check further with additional references or tasting?
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