Champagne Taittinger are one of the few Grande Marque Houses that are still family owned and run.  Presiding over this fabulous estate is Pierre-Emanuel Taittinger who is assisted by his children Clovis and Vitalie.  With over 650 hectares of their own vineyards, Taittinger control much of their own production, with much of the vineyard being of Grand Cru classification.

Tonight we tasted through the range of Taittinger Champagnes accompanied by excellent food from Lizzie’s Cuisine Catering. Bliss….

Taittinger Brut Reserve NV

As with any special occasion, a glass of one of the best Grande Marque Champagnes, Taittinger Brut Réserve, was the perfect way to start this tasting. A blend of Chardonnay (40%) and the balance, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grown on over 35 different vineyards. The current release is mainly from the 2008 vintage (70%) and aged for around 4 years before disgorging.

Taittinger Rose Brut NV

 A quantity of still red wine (15%) produced from the best Pinot Noirs from Montagne de Reims and Les Riceys is in fact added to the final blend, to give this cuvée its unmistakable colour and vibrant intensity on the palate. The high proportion of Chardonnay (30%) that completes the blend brings the elegance and delicacy that underpin Taittinger’s signature style.

Taittinger Prelude Grand Crus

This is an outstanding Champagne. The Prélude Grands Crus Cuvée is composed of Chardonnay (50%) and Pinot Noir (50%) that is exclusively from the top Grands Crus vineyards classified as “100%” or “the best” in the Champagne system. Aged for more than five years in the cellar, this is quite a rich style with white flowers, stonefruit and brioche notes

Taittinger Les Folies de la Marquetterie

A highlight of the tasting. The House’s very first “Champagne de Domaine”, Les Folies de la Marquetterie is a blend of Chardonnays (45%) and Pinot Noirs (55%), made exclusively from grapes grown at the Folies vineyard that overlooks Château de la Marquetterie, the birthplace of the Taittinger family champagne. Cuisine describes the wine …“This single-vineyard wine from Taittinger is a superb example of the type, expressing the magic of Champagne with great eloquence. Vanilla cream, baguette, nectarine and citrus aromas of lovely finesse flow through a wine of smooth honeyed flavour, intriguing complexity and haunting, fragrant aftertaste.” A special Champagne.

Taittinger Vintage Brut 2008

2008 was a very good vintage for Champagne. This is quite finessed even with 6 years bottle age on lees. Classy.

Taittinger Comtes Blanc de Blancs Brut 2006

A great way to finish. “Since its first vintage in 1952, its story has been one of perfectionism, from the selection of the best chardonnay grapes from the best Grand Cru vineyards and meticulous winemaking standards, to eight to 10 years’ ageing in Taittinger’s spectacular underground chalk caves”.