Champagne 'Prelude' Grands Crus (750 ml. boxed) - Taittinger

THE CHAMPAGNE

The Prélude ‘Grands Crus’ cuvée is made from a blend of 50 % Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, which Taittinger has selected only from the ‘Grands Crus’ vineyards; the highest rated vineyards in the Champagne region. Only the first pressings are used, resulting in a perfect balance between the vibrant minerality of the Chardonnay and the strength and structure of the Pinot Noir. It matures for 5 years in the cellars, and retains a distinct freshness, combining sophistication and complexity. Its minerality opens up the nose, before quickly becoming botanical and blossoming out into a fragrance of elderflower mixed with spicy notes of cinnamon. The taste is vibrant and forthright, dominated by hints of fresh citrus fruit. Superb balance between freshness and an aromatic character.

THE MAISON

Among the oldest Maison of the entire appellation, Taittinger is a name that inevitably identifies in every corner of the world one of the greatest French families that has contributed in a decisive way to the success of Champagne.

The history of this mythical Maison began in 1743, when Jacques Fourneaux began his business as a merchant, first selling white and red wines, and then devoting himself to the sale of bubbles. The Forneaux family continued to operate in this sector with great results, joining forces with Antoine Forest, creating the company "Forest-Forneaux" and increasing its success.

In 1932 a young man with a passion for wine, Pierre-Charles Taittinger, bought the "Forest-Forneaux" and began his wine-growing adventure under the Taittinger brand in the town of Reims. Since the beginning of production, the Maison has established an ever increasing bond with its bottles with a particular grape variety, chardonnay, an increasingly central grape variety in every assembly, up to the exit, under the direction of Francois Taittinger, in the 1952, by Comtes de Champagne, the first "Cuvée de Prestige" produced in the area entirely made with only white grapes.

Today at the head of the company we find, since 2005, Pierre-Emanuel Taittinger, direct descendant of Pierre-Charles, surrounded by a team where competence and professionalism are the fulcrum of a winery that continues to be animated by a strong spirit of conquest and tradition.

There are 288 hectares of property, scattered among 34 of the best crus in the whole region; here mainly chardonnay and pinot noir are grown, to which is added a 15% pinot meunier. Every year nine labels are born between the walls of Reims, where Brut Reserve, "Prestige" Rosé and "Nocturne" flank the great Comtes de Champagne and the different vintage wines that carry the great coat of arms of the Maison Taittinger around the world.