US: Cristal gets bum rap boycott

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 15 June 2006

Louis Roederer Champagne is at the receiving end of a boycott led by rapper Jay-Z.

The hip-hop star announced the move yesterday (14 June) after what he called "racist" comments by the company's managing director.

In an interview with The Economist magazine, Frederic Rouzaud said that the company observes its association with the rap world with "curiosity and serenity." The company's Cristal Champagne is often name-checked by hip-hop artists who have championed the brand in the past. Rouzaud labelled the name-checks as "unwelcome attention," Jay-Z claims.

"It has come to my attention that the managing director of Cristal, Frederic Rouzaud, views the 'hip-hop' culture as "unwelcome attention,"" Jay-Z said. "I view his comments as racist and will no longer support any of his products through any of my various brands including (sports lounge) The 40/40 Club nor in my personal life."

The artist's club will now only serve Krug and Dom Perignon Champagne.

When contacted by just-drinks today, a spokesperson for Louis Roederer played down the row: "I think it was a misunderstanding on the part of the person who wrote (the article)," she said.

Sectors: Wine