Sunday Sips: Louis Roederer Champagne
Sunday Sips: Louis Roederer Champagne — Elegance, Heritage, and Vegan Pairings for Every Celebration
Some Champagnes tell a story. Louis Roederer Collection 244 tells a new one—one rooted deeply in tradition yet boldly shaped by the present moment. It is Champagne crafted for a changing world: climate-conscious, terroir-driven, and uncompromisingly modern. For this week’s Sunday Sips, we’re diving into the artistry behind Collection 244, exploring why it has become one of the most exciting multivintage releases in years, and pairing it with vibrant vegan dishes that highlight its clarity, texture, and generosity.
If you’re searching for a bottle that captures the spirit of contemporary Champagne—bright, expressive, and effortlessly refined—Collection 244 is the sip to open on a slow Sunday afternoon, over a curated dinner with friends, or during a holiday toast at home in Sag Harbor.
This is Champagne meant to be savored.
A New Chapter for an Iconic House
Louis Roederer is known for its heritage, but what makes the maison extraordinary is its commitment to evolution. For decades, Brut Premier served as their signature multivintage cuvée—a beloved benchmark. But as climate conditions shifted and access to riper grapes increased, Roederer chose not to rely on the past. Instead, they reimagined their approach entirely.
Enter Collection, a cuvée series designed to reflect not sameness, but specificity.
Each Collection becomes a distinct snapshot of a single year’s harvest, enriched by a deep reserve of perpetual wines. Rather than hiding variation, Roederer leans into it—revealing the nuance of each vintage and the terroir-driven decisions behind it.
Collection 244 is built around the year 2019, a warm, generous, beautifully ripe vintage. To enrich it, Roederer incorporated oak-aged reserve wines and a perpetual reserve—an uninterrupted blend of previous years that gives the wine its backbone, complexity, and continuity.
The result is both expressive and precise. Collection 244 is Champagne with a clear point of view.
Rooted in Sustainable Viticulture
One of the most compelling aspects of Louis Roederer Champagne Collection 244 is its foundation in Roederer’s sustainability-forward vineyard practices. The maison has been a leader in organic and biodynamic farming, with a philosophy centered on biodiversity, soil health, and environmental balance.
Nearly half of the estate’s vineyards are farmed biodynamically, and all are tended with thoughtful stewardship. For many plant-forward eaters—especially those who prioritize sustainable ingredients—this alignment with clean agriculture makes Collection 244 particularly meaningful. It is Champagne that tastes of terroir because it honors the land it comes from.
This cuvée reflects a house deeply attuned to the rhythms of nature, crafting wines that feel vibrant and alive.
Tasting Louis Roederer Collection 244
Collection 244 is built from:
41% Chardonnay
33% Pinot Noir
26% Meunier
Reserve wines from the Perpetual Reserve
Oak-aged reserve wines, adding texture and warmth
This composition gives Collection 244 a striking balance of fruit, freshness, structure, and subtle complexity. Nothing feels excessive; nothing is out of place. The wine unfolds gently, revealing layers over time.
Aromatics
On the nose, expect a beautiful interplay of:
ripe orchard fruit—pear, golden apple
lemon zest and preserved citrus
hints of white peach
toasted almonds and pastry cream
chalky minerality
There’s a subtle florality too, a lifted brightness that makes each inhale feel refreshing.
On the Palate
Louis Roederer Champagne Collection 244 delivers a texture that feels both silky and energetic. Expect:
crisp acidity that lengthens the sip
gentle creaminess from oak-aged reserve wines
a mineral line that keeps everything focused
flavors of pear, citrus, apricot, and almond
a finish that’s long, dry, and elegantly rounded
It’s generous without being heavy—fresh yet substantial. A Champagne with enough depth for food, yet light enough to enjoy on its own.
Why Louis Roederer Champagne Collection 244 Shines with Vegan Cuisine
Champagne, especially of Roederer’s precision, is one of the most food-versatile wines in existence. But when it comes to vegan cooking, Collection 244 is exceptional for several reasons:
High natural acidity cuts through richness in dishes like cashew burrata, creamy vegan sauces, or fried tofu.
Delicate bubbles refresh the palate between bites of herbs, citrus, or raw vegetables.
Minerality echoes the earthiness of mushrooms, roots, and grains.
Subtle toasty notes pair beautifully with roasted squash, nuts, and warm spices.
Bright fruit and citrus enhance salads, seasonal produce, and Mediterranean flavors.
Because it sits between freshness and depth, Collection 244 works across the table—from appetizers to mains to celebratory bites.
Below are pairing ideas crafted to reflect your style of cooking—elegant, seasonal, creative, and plant-forward.
Vegan Pairings for Louis Roederer Collection 244
1. Stone Fruit Burrata Salad (with Vegan Cashew Burrata)
Bright, creamy, and Champagne-friendly.
Roederer’s gentle brioche notes and citrus energy elevate juicy peaches or plums, while the cashew burrata adds just enough richness for the bubbles to cut through. A drizzle of balsamic-honey dressing (with maple syrup) plays off the wine’s fruitiness.
Serve with basil and cracked pepper for a stunning summer-to-fall pairing.
2. Arugula Plum Salad with Pistachios & Dijon-Lime Dressing
Fresh, zippy, and perfectly matched to Collection 244’s vibrancy.
The peppery bite of arugula highlights the wine’s minerality, while plums bring out its orchard fruit. Pistachios mirror its subtle nuttiness. The vinaigrette connects directly to the Champagne’s citrus drive.
Light, modern, and effortless.
3. Vegan Herb Butter & Heirloom Tomato Tartine
A Sunday brunch dream.
The juiciness of heirloom tomatoes and the herb-forward butter (using vegan butter and your basil-parsley-chive mix) beautifully complement Collection 244’s blend of fruit and toastiness. Maldon salt brings everything into focus.
This pairing is sunshine in food form.
4. Vegan Sushi Rolls with Avocado, Pickled Ginger & Sesame
Minimalist, clean, and Champagne-perfect.
The wine’s citrus and saline notes echo the freshness of vegan sushi, while the creaminess of avocado matches its texture. Sesame deepens its toasty qualities.
For extra brightness, add thinly sliced cucumber or microgreens.
5. Hearts-of-Palm Vegan Ceviche with Lime, Cilantro & Tomato
Light, aromatic, and beautifully textured.
This dish reflects the Champagne’s freshness with lime, while the gentle sweetness of tomato and cooling herbs showcase its fruit. Hearts of palm provide a delicate structure that mirrors the wine’s mineral backbone.
A perfect starter for a dinner party.
6. Roasted Delicata Squash with Maple, Dijon & Rosemary
Warm, cozy, and ideal for fall or holiday celebrations.
Collection 244 has enough depth to stand up to caramelized squash, while its acidity lifts the richness. Dijon brings out the wine’s savory side; rosemary enhances its subtle spice notes.
Serve as a side—or atop a grain bowl for a complete dish.
7. Crispy Tofu with Lemon & Green Onion
Crunchy, bright, and weeknight-friendly.
The lemon in this dish harmonizes beautifully with the Champagne’s citrus character. The crisp edges of the tofu pair well with its toasty notes, while green onion adds a fresh aromatic lift.
A pairing that feels clean and satisfying.
8. Miso Mushroom Toast with Garlic & Thyme
Earthy umami meets Champagne refinement.
The savory depth of miso and roasted mushrooms contrasts the brightness of Collection 244 in the most gorgeous way. Served on crusty sourdough, it’s the kind of dish that makes the bubbles feel even more alive.
Great for cozy evenings or holiday brunch.
9. Vegan Ricotta Pear Toast with Honey (or Maple), Dill & Microgreens
Soft, aromatic, and delicately indulgent.
The sweetness of pears complements the Champagne’s stone fruit tones. Vegan ricotta provides a creamy base that the acidity cuts through, and fresh herbs add complexity.
Perfect for celebratory mornings.
10. Chilled Cucumber, Mint & Coconut Soup
Elegant and unexpectedly perfect.
While not a traditional pairing, this soup’s cool freshness enhances the Champagne’s purity. The mint draws out the wine’s floral notes, and the gentle coconut background plays surprisingly well with its texture.
A refined starter for summer dinners.
How to Serve Collection 244 for Maximum Enjoyment
To let Collection 244 shine, a few thoughtful serving notes elevate the experience:
Temperature
Chill to 46–50°F.
Cooler highlights freshness; slightly warmer reveals texture and complexity.
Glassware
Use a tulip-shaped Champagne glass—not a flute.
This allows the aromatics of orchard fruit and toasted almonds to expand elegantly.
Pouring
Pour slowly down the side of the glass for fine, persistent bubbles.
Timing
Collection 244 can carry a full vegan meal—from vibrant salads to warm, savory mains—so don’t relegate it to just the beginning of the evening.
Why Collection 244 Is the Perfect Sunday Sip
There are Champagnes you open for tradition, and Champagnes you open for discovery. Collection 244 is both.
It respects the past through the structure of its perpetual reserve, yet embraces the present by reflecting a single year’s climatic personality. It is a cuvée that celebrates nature, craftsmanship, and the subtle nuance that comes from vineyard-first winemaking.
More than anything, it feels alive.
Whether you’re celebrating at home with your husband, hosting a weekend dinner, or highlighting Champagne pairings on your blog, Collection 244 brings energy, refinement, and approachability. It’s casual enough for a relaxed brunch with vegan tartines, but elegant enough for holidays, anniversaries, and winter gatherings.
Louis Roederer created something truly modern with this series—a Champagne that tastes like today while honoring everything that makes Champagne timeless.
Here’s to another beautiful Sunday Sips.
Cheers to Collection 244—fresh, expressive, and endlessly inspiring. 🥂✨
