It seemed almost impossible how narrow stairs could transport people on a seemingly endless journey that led to and from over 100 feet underground. And that mystical feeling was enhanced by the walls and ceiling as they had undulating designs that created a cathedral-like aura with sacred electricity pulsing through the air. One felt simultaneously sucked into this other world and transported to a place 3,700 miles away.

An artwork located in Manhattan, New York, created by French artist Eva Jospin, transported New Yorkers as her work perfectly mimicked a miniature version of the magnificent caves excavated beneath the houses of Champagne, in the wine region of Champagne, France; caves that were carved deep beneath the chalky earth. In this case, it gave the impression of one of the caves of the oldest champagne house, Ruinart Housewhich was initially excavated over a millennia ago The Romans for the chalk mines, but resourceful champagne producers such as Nicolas Ruinart used these caves to store their bottles of champagne for aging, starting in the mid-1700s.

However, this work of art is made of cardboard! Amazing considering how it charmed those who gazed upon it and temporarily made the viewer forget they were in a bustling city instead of the magical world of the “Crayères” (aka vertical chalk pits) as they are known in the Champagne sparkling wine region.

Also, this pop-up art gallery in New York brought exciting news as Ruinart plans to release its first new Champagne cuvée in 20 years.

Maison 1729

Such artworks are currently on display at a pop-up space in nearby Manhattan High Line to show Ruinart’s commitment to art and sustainability and how the two can form a symbiotic relationship. As Ruinart has been on a mission in recent years to find innovative ways to promote biodiversity, such as planting 25,000 trees and shrubs in its vineyards and even commissioning land art pioneer Nils-Udo to build three tall bird nests to bring many feathered creatures to the vineyards Ruinart Taissy. And given how creative Ruinart has been in fostering biodiversity, it makes sense that they would partner with the High Line as it is also an entity that has pushed the boundaries of how global cities can create more biodiversity by saving historic, elevated freight lines from demolition. turning it into a public park with various types of plants.

This partnership is called Maison 1729: From Champagne Vineyards to the High Line, as it represents the initial establishment of Maison Ruinart in 1729 to today’s exciting relationship with the relatively new initiative, the High Line, which has become one of the most visited locations in all of New York. You can currently experience the Maison 1729 by visiting Ruinart’s pop-up space near the High Line at 500 West 22nd Street, as well as by booking a free, public tour of the High Line that highlights Ruinart and the High Line Group’s commitment to preserving native plants and creating a balanced ecosystem.

Ruinart Blanc Singular

But Ruinart is not only making changes to the vineyards, as mentioned earlier, it is also releasing its first new Champagne cuvée in 20 years called Blanc Singulier. As climate change has brought warmer vintages to cooler vintages, Ruinart has decided to make a 100% Chardonnay cuvée that has a low dosage that is made during the warmest vintages from Chardonnay vineyards that are at their ripest.

The first is called Blanc Singulier ‘Edition 18’ as it is made from 80% of the 2018 vintage and the rest is made from older reserve wines that come from warmer vintages with a dosage of 0g/l, making it a Brut Nature Champagne. without adding sugar during dosing. Brut Nature champagnes have become very trendy in some circles and many Brut Nature champagnes have appeared on the market, some are excellent examples and others are unbalanced because they lack the maturity to balance the extreme acidity on their own, so some need that little amount of sugar to a balanced wine was created; there’s a reason why most champagne needs a little sugar.

Creatively Resourceful

Ruinart President and CEO Frederic DuFour spoke of never releasing a new cuvée to cater to a trend, as Ruinart’s reputation is based on excellence adhering to values ​​established nearly 300 years ago. One of those values ​​is to always be faithful to the terroir, the feeling of the place of the vineyard, and over time they have noticed that part of the terroir in recent years gives a slightly richer expression that does not require the addition of sugar to help. take the edge off the acidity to allow the fruit to shine.

The Champagne wine region has a long history of creative ingenuity, starting with the use of deep chalk pits as ideal places to gracefully age bottles of Champagne and the use of sugar to balance the high acidity. Today, the oldest champagne house, which has been an essential part of this resourcefulness from the beginning, now finds benefit in the difficult times of climate change by releasing Blanc Singulier, a champagne that expresses the terroir of modern times that lives up to values ​​that are several centuries old.

Visit Maison 1729: From Champagne Vineyards to the High Line popup space:

Location:

500 W. 22nd Street, New York, NY 10011

Opening hours:

May 21, 26 and June 2, 9: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

May 25 and June 8: 17:00 – 21:00

Click here to book a free tour with the High Line and Ruinart:

Tour schedule:

Thursday, May 25: 6 p.m

Friday, May 26: 10 a.m

Friday, June 2: 10 a.m

Thursday, June 8: 6 p.m

Friday, June 9: 10 a.m

Ruinart’s Blanc Singulier ‘Edition 18’ will launch in the US in June, and will be available at restaurants that align with Ruinart’s values.