The history of “Crystal”: why the champagne of the Russian emperor became a symbol of American rappers

Фото: Depositphotos

Champagne Crystal was first created in 1876 for the emperor of Russia Aleksandra II and is considered by many as the first prestigious "cuvee". Then no one could have imagined that a century and a half later, American rappers would choose this drink as one of their symbols, and all thanks to the tsar’s caution, which led to the unique design of the bottle, writes Bahys.

The political situation in the Russian Empire in the XIX century was unstable, therefore king he was afraid of attempts and ordered that the champagne bottles for his banquet be made transparent, so that the emperor could see the bubbles, as well as to prevent the bomb from being hidden in them, as could happen with an ordinary dark green bottle.

Wine maker Louis Roederer asked the Flemish glassmaker to create a bottle for champagne with a flat bottom and transparent glass lead glass. Champagne, which began to be poured into these bottles, has become known as Crystal. Its composition: approximately equal combination Chardonnay и Pinot noir. During the World Wars, its sale was discontinued.

Photo: louis-roederer.com

Now the annual production of this champagne ranges from 300 000 to 400 000 bottles, and its cost ranges from 200 to 1500 dollars, depending on the year of harvest and the type of wine, writes DN.no.

Современный Crystal sold in a crystal bottle with a transparent bottom and in anti-ultraviolet cellophane A gold-label wrapper that gives the bottle a unique and precious look.

Photo: louis-roederer.com

It was for the design of the champagne that the American repertoires fell in love. In the middle of 1990 and at the beginning of 2000, the drink became part of the image of some artists, Crissy mentioned in the lyrics such artists as Raekwon, 50 Cent, Big karlage, Biggie Smalls, Puff Daddy, Big l, Hollywood undead, Yung Lean и Jay Z. A Tupac Shakur even created a cocktail called "Gangster Passion" (Thug passion) which is a mixture of liquor Alizé gold passion и Cristal.

Rapper Jay Z in his tracks lovingly called him Cris. Among the brands most often mentioned in the songs from Billboard Top 100 in 2005 year, Crystal ranks eighth place, writes Rap.ru.

Promotion drink also engaged Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Lloyd Banks, Trina, Game.

Considered for the first time Crystal in rap launched Notorious BIG., who said “Crystal forever"in the track Jay-Z Brooklyn's Finest.

Later Jay Z was loyal to a brand that even sounded more american than french names Veuve Clicquot и Dom Perignon. The rapper filmed him in his videos and even took him on stage without fail. In his “40/40” club, this drink was always the highlight of the program - even the appearance of the bottle with an abundance of gilding was more attractive to the African-American audience than the products of competitors.

This champagne has really become a status thing. "If you are baller (so on rapper slang called people who have risen from the bottom and now living in a big way), then you drink Crystal“, they said about him.

However, the French, who were in charge of the company, and had no idea what ballerMoreover, the popularity of the product among African Americans worried them a bit. Top Manager of the Issuer Crystal company Louis roderer Frederic Ruzo in an interview The Economist,, answering the question whether the popularity of the brand in such circles frightens him, said: “What can we do? We can't stop them from buying Crystal".

American rappers did not like this phrase: Jay Z called the statement racist and made a public exile of the once beloved champagne from his club "40 / 40", writes Forbes.

Crystal in the establishment map was replaced by Krug and Dom Perignon.

As a result, the president of the house Louis Roederer I had to apologize, saying that he did not mean anything offensive. Today, Frédéric Ruzo doesn’t like to remember his rapper adventure. To a cautious question about the perception of his champagne by representatives of different cultures, he answers evasively: "People are different, and everyone has the right to their own perception."

However, he admits that the very style of his best champagne provokes mass popularity: “Crystal It’s pleasant to drink, its taste is open and light, although the potential for aging is very great.”

Despite the apparent availability of taste, Crystal, of course, one of the most serious and sophisticated champagnes. The best wine materials from 214 ha of its own vineyards at home (a giant size for Champagne) make up its cuvee, so it tastes not only American rappers, but is also considered to be the favorite drink of Quentin Tarantino and many other stars.

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