Cristal is a brand of champagne produced by Louis Roederer. This champagne is bottled in crystal bottles with a flat bottom and packaged in a cellophane wrap that protects against ultraviolet light, featuring a gold label. The high price (ranging from $250 to $1500) emphasizes its status as an exclusive drink.

Cristal was first created in 1876 for Russian Emperor Alexander III. In 1833, when Louis Roederer inherited the company, the Russian market became key for the house. The Russian nobility developed a taste for champagne during the Napoleonic Wars when the troops of the Holy Alliance occupied Champagne. Russian troops under the command of Prince Sergey Alexandrovich Volkonsky were stationed in Reims, and the officers became lucrative customers.

The company's main success in Russia was recognition at the court. On June 7, 1867, in Paris, at the 'English Café' (now known as La Tour d’Argent), a meeting took place between three emperors: Kaiser Wilhelm I, Tsar Alexander II, and the heir apparent who later became Alexander III. Among the wines served was Louis Roederer champagne. Although it was not yet Cristal, there is an opinion that the transparent bottle appeared at that time for safety reasons. It is important to note that Alexander II was a great fan of champagne and personally oversaw its purchases. In 1876, at his request, the cellar master of the Imperial court began annual trips to Reims to create a personal royal cuvée, which became the first vintage champagne in history.

The history of the crystal bottle began with dissatisfaction that the bottles wrapped in napkins were indistinguishable. The crystal bottle became the solution for the tsar: its transparent neck indicated 'the one' cuvée.

This idea became a true triumph for Louis Roederer. Before the revolution, Cristal was supplied exclusively to the court. Despite the loss of connection with the imperial court, the cuvée Cristal retained its status as a symbol of exquisite traditions.