For nearly three centuries, Maison Ruinart has been committed to providing an authentic, essential and responsible vision of art de vivre.
In 2020, Ruinart breaks with the tradition of individual gift boxes, and pushes its global, environmental approach further with the second skin case. This eco-designed casing perfectly marries the emblematic silhouette of the Maison’s signature bottle with Ruinart’s taste integrity, which is preserved until tasting.
Commenting about the new second skin case Frédéric Dufour, President Maison Ruinart, said: “Innovative, authentic and environmentally conscious, the second skin case crystallizes our commitment to sustainability. Since 1729 the Maison has evolved with the times, anticipating paradigm changes and instilling a new art de vivre. The design of the case reinterprets the elegant gestures of gastronomic establishments: it is inspired by the manner in which maîtres d’hôtels wrap a white serviette around bottles of champagne.”
By revolutionizing the packaging, Maison Ruinart puts its leadership role in service of sustainable development: where a big gift box made sense in the past, an entirely recyclable cloak composed of 100% natural wood fibers is a more suitable fit today. The sustainable innovation of the second skin case extolls a return to nature and to the natural: it aims to reduce waste and recycle materials without denaturing experience or taste.
A direct hommage to the Crayères, the minimalist paper case features a silky yet textured surface that evokes the chalk caves and historic wine cellars of the Maison in Reims. It suggests a new gesture, at once a disruptive materiality and an aesthetic, which each reflect a commitment to mindful art de vivre.
For 10 years, Ruinart has progressively implemented a global practice of eco-design: an in-house “Environmental Performance Index” (IPE) measures the impact of all projects, including packaging as service and visibility tools. Since 2015, the Maison has been innovating with the launch of a 50g lighter gift box that, at the time, saved more than 200 tons of paper. That same year, all forms of plastic wrapping were removed, eliminating some additional 26 tons.
More widely, all packaging materials used are from France (87%) or Western Europe (12%). Cardboard packaging and wooden boxes, as well as the natural wood fiber used to make the second skin case, are all sourced in a sustainable manner (eco-managed forests, certified FSC or PEFC).
By dreaming up the second skin case, Ruinart offers a sustainable alternative to an entire industry and heightens consciousness of packaging needs. The Maison wishes to open up a dialogue with the wider public and help both industry behavior and consumer behavior evolve.
Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, RRP €102.50 and Ruinart Rosé, RRP €102.50 , are available from Dublin at The Corkscrew, Baggot Street Wines, Jus de Vine, 64 Wines, Higgins,e Mitchell & Son, Whelehans Wines, On The Grapevine; The Wine Centre Kilkenny, World Wide Wine Waterford, Bubble Brothers Cork, and all leading general independent wine shops nationwide.
