Julien looks at everything, the TOP 5 Things that you should know about Taittinger, and how to pronounce it correctly with a French pronunciation, one of the very most famous of all French Champagne houses.
Watch the Corporate Video about Taittinger Champagne (some extracts are included in this video):
My Review Video & Tasting notes of Comtes de Champagne white:
Review Video & Tasting notes of Comtes de Champagne rosé:
Video Content (transcription):
This is Julien, the French winemaking guy who makes wine videos on YouTube, yes wine videos.
We are looking at everything, the TOP 5 Things that you should know about Taittinger, and how to pronounce it correctly with a French pronunciation, one of the very most famous of all French Champagne houses.
What is Taittinger? The House is a few words
Taittinger is one of the most famous of all houses or Champagne makers in France and in the world, one of those iconic Champagne brands alongside the Moet & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Bollinger and a few others…
Taittinger was founded in 1734, some 285 years ago, that’s under the reign of Louis the 15th before the French revolution. A little while ago!
The company is based in Reims, the capital city of the Champagne wine region, and is now headed by Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger (born 1953), a member of the consultative committee of the Banque de France.
I personally visited Taittinger headquarters in Reims and met Vitalie Taittinger for an interview. She’s part of the family and the marketing and communication director, and a very friendly, nice and approachable woman. Had a lovely time at Taittinger.
Taittinger is particularly known for its Chardonnay-dominant Champagnes, especially thanks to its Blanc de Blancs 100% Chardonnay prestige cuvée called Comtes de Champagne.
Taittinger – A Brief but Eventful History
The house founded in 1734 was bought by the Taittinger family, Pierre Taittinger in this instance in 1932 when he bought the Château de la Marquetterie, a famous property in Champagne.
His son François took the reins of the company in 1945 and built up the cellars and the vineyards, establishing Taittinger as one of the staple Champagne houses we know today.
In 2005, the company was sold to US investment group Starwood. The focus on short-term profitability then threatened the long-standing tradition of the house and the family, but a year later, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger and the family backed up by banks managed to buy back the company.
Taittinger – The Vineyards
Taittinger owns about 290 hectares of vineyards (710 acres) of which about half is planted to Pinot Noir, the other half mainly composed of Chardonnay and a little bit of Pinot Meunier.
Taittinger own estate vineyards contribute 50 percent of the house sourcing for grapes, the other half of the grapes coming from contract growers that for most have had a historical relationship with the house.
Taittinger – The Wines
Taittinger house style is about acidic tension and finesse, always with dry and delicate flavors.
Taittinger’s non-vintage cuvée, their most common one is called the Brut Réserve, which is blended from 40 percent Chardonnay, with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier making up the remainder.
The house also makes a non-vintage rosé called Prestige Rosé, a blend of 50/50 Chardonnay Pinot Noir only from grand Cru vineyards called Prélude Grands Crus, series of Vintage Champagne, or Brut Millésimé they make when the growing conditions are favorable and excellent to make a vintage Champagne. Their Folies de la Marqueterie is a tribute to the ‘Château de la Marquetterie’ made from grapes grown at the Folies vineyard that overlooks the Château, some of which are vinified in oak casks.
But of course, the flagship cuvée of Taittinger is the Comtes de Champagne. First made in the 1952 vintage. The 100% Chardonnay grapes are mostly sourced from grand cru vineyards from the Cotes de Blancs, the best area in Champagne for Chardonnay. They use just a little bit of oak, more for adding complexity and delicate nutty characters rather than imparting strong oaky notes. Taittinger’s flagship is considered as one of the most consistent blanc de blancs from the region.
Taittinger also makes a Comtes de Champagne rosé.
Taittinger in the World
Taittinger invested in making fine sparkling wine around the world, including in the South of the Napa Valley with their Domaine Carneros of which I made a video review of the wines that you can watch following the link in the description.
More recently, Taittinger has established a vineyard in the English region of Kent called Saint Evremond.
How to Pronounce Taittinger?
#JulienWineSchool