Champagne Taittinger

EVEN BEFORE THE NAME TAITTINGER WAS ESTABLISHED, THERE WAS A NAME AND A FAMILY ALREADY BEHIND THE PROJECT. FOURNEAUXFOREST, THE THIRD OLDEST CHAMPAGNE HOUSE, WAS FOUNDED IN 1734 WHEN JACQUES FOURNEAUX, A MERCHANT OF CHAMPAGNE WINES, JOINED THE CHAMPAGNE TRADE AND FOUNDED THE COMPANY THAT WOULD ONE DAY BECOME TAITTINGER.

Clovis Taittinger, Export director, Son of Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger. HISTORY AND FAMILY SIGNATURE

In 1912, Pierre-Charles Taittinger, a young cavalry officer during the First World War, made his first visit to the Château de la Marquetterie near Epernay. It was here that the autumn 1915 offensive was launched. PierreCharles instantly fell in love with the magnificent property and vowed himself to return…one day…

A year after acquiring the champagne firm of Fourneaux-Forest, as it had come to be known, Taittinger secured purchase of the Château de la Marquetterie and its vineyards. He began to restructure the firm, and expand its vineyard holdings in some of the finest producing areas of Champagne.

Following the end of the Second World War, since the Fourneaux family had no descendants, Taittinger decided to put its own name on the label - it seemed to be the obvious next step in the commitment to the people behind the project. These days, every bottle bares the Taittinger name, and the family is more responsible than ever for the indisputable quality of each bottle that leaves its cellars. Thanks to the ongoing commitment of the family members, Taittinger can guarantee its flawless signature, and wines that are heralded worldwide for their consistent quality.

CRAFTSMANSHIP

There is no great Champagne without great grapes, and Taittinger now reaps the benefits of expanding its vineyards early. Today, it covers 288 hectares of land, making it the third biggest in Champagne. This ensures a regular supply of highquality grapes for the production of the delicate, finely-balanced champagne that has gained them worldwide recognition among connoisseurs.

There is a well-known saying at Taittinger: “Instead of three, we work with four different grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Time”. Champagne is all about patience and silence, something to be witnessed when visiting Taittinger’s magnificent chalk cellars in Reims, initially dug in the Gallo-Roman period and extended by the Benedictine monks in the thirteenth century. An optimum ageing process ensures that all bottles produced by Taittinger are of the exceptional quality on which it has built its reputation.

The hallmark of the brand’s fine Champagne is the high proportion of Chardonnay used in its winemaking, which is key for producing wines of great elegance and finesse. From the non–vintage Brut Réserve to the prestige cuvée Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, Taittinger’s first and foremost priority has always been the quality

of its wines; nothing is left to chance. As President Pierre-Emmanuel says: “Marketing is just like make up, it is here to subtly enhance the beauty, never to replace it”.

The family members always present themselves as craftsmen, for everything begins in the vines. Instead of focusing on appearance, they argue that what is put in the bottle, is a reflection of what you really are. You need to know which grapes, from which region and from which year you require to achieve a specific style.

MODERN APPROACH

When you are secure about your authenticity, legacy and history, you are able to more easily move with the times. This is why Taittinger is considered a pioneer by many. One of the best examples of this, was its appointment by FIFA as the very first official Champagne of the World Cup. This not only proved the quality of the product, but also that the House was able to be involved in such an international event, with all the logistics and investment that goes along with it.

It was an opportunity to show people how Taittinger sees Champagne; not only is it a magnificent wine, but it is also a symbol of love, friendship and celebration. Champagne is a great wine in the service of a great party, and what is life, but a great party?

The Taittingers have always been described as conquerors, and the FIFA agreement helped them continue this way by creating the very first 3D champagne label that was visible without special glasses. The technical feat creates the effect of fizzing bubbles straight from the label on the iconic non-vintage Brut Réserve, echoing the 3D effect from the bubbles on the packaging, which has seen great success around the globe.

The “bubble revolution” marches on. ❧

Pierre –Emmanuel Taittinger, President of Champagne Taittinger And his daughter Vitalie Taittinger, Marketing and communication director.

Tasting notes

BRUT RÉSERVE NV

Appearance: Golden yellow with fine bubbles that are discreet yet lingering

Aroma: Open and expressive delivering aromas of fruit, brioche, white flowers and vanilla pod

Flavour: Lively, fresh and delicate with tones of fresh fruit and honey PRESTIGE ROSÉ

Appearance: Intense, shimmering pink hue

Aroma: The full nose is fresh, crisp and young, giving off aromas of red fruits (freshly crushed wild raspberry, cherry and blackcurrant)

Flavour: On the palate, this wine strikes a fine balance of velvety and full-bodied with fresh, crisp red fruit flavours NOCTURNE NV

Appearance: Pale yellow with shimmering highlights

Aroma: A subtle bouquet featuring delightful aromas of yellow peaches and dried apricots

Flavour: Smooth and creamy, yet crisp with hints of raisins and fruits in syrup. Distinctively sweet and full of flavour

PRELUDE GRANDS CRUS BRUT NV

Appearance: Pale yellow with subtle silver highlights

Aroma: The initial mineral aromas quickly give way to green and then floral notes with the fragrance of elderflowers and spicy cinnamon undertones

Flavour: Clean and lively, dominated by fresh citrus notes which develop into fuller, rounder and silkier flavours where white peaches in syrup predominate. The finish is rich, lingering and bursting with flavour BRUT MILLÉSIMÉ 2008

Appearance: A bright, pale yellow with abundant yet fine bubbles

Aroma: Elegant notes of vine flowers followed by intense, sweet and fruity overtones

Flavour: Rich and fruity, dominated by flavours of yellow fruit compote and greengages running through. Flavourful, smooth and generous, suggesting fruit paste finishing with a well-structured and full-bodied, slightly tannic note COMTES DE CHAMPAGNE

Appearance: Pale yellow with light, abundant bubbles which rise steadily to form a fine mousse

Aroma: An intense bouquet, beginning with rich notes of pastry cream and finishing with light, toasted notes

Flavour: Smooth and voluptuous, with flavours of ripe fruit