Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc des Blancs Brut Champagne 2005 750ml

NOTE: Vintage might vary. Please contact store owner to confirm.

"Comtes de Champagne Grands Crus Blanc de Blancs Brut is the finest example of the Taittinger house style. This Champagne is created from Chardonnay grapes harvested from five Grands Crus vineyards in the Avize, Chouilly, Crémant, Auger and Le Menil-sur-Auger regions. From its beginnings to the arrival of Champagne on the shelves, it requires a great deal of attention from the winemakers, which is why it is made in small quantities. Cuvée is created from first-pressed juice. A small percentage (5%) of the blend is aged in new oak barrels for 4 months, which gives the Champagne subtle nuances of toasted oak wood on the finish. "Comte de Champagne" Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc Brut is aged in special cellars 18 metres below ground, built in chalk quarries near Saint-Nicaise, for 8-10 years.

2007 was an exceptional year, both in terms of the grapes and the wines made from them. After the mild winter temperatures the vines began to grow earlier than usual, so the winemakers were expecting the grapes to be fully ripe by mid-August. However, contrary to all expectations, the Champagne vineyards suffered from adverse weather conditions during May. The vines slowed their development and flowering was delayed. The summer was also marked by low temperatures and a lack of sunshine. It was only in late August that the weather favoured early berry ripening. Harvesting took place in September. The harvest was healthy and of good quality. The Chardonnay was delicate and pure and showed great potential.

In 1734, Jacques Fournet, who sold Champagne wines, set up a company which would later be called "Taittinger". He was in charge of selling wines made in the early 18th century by the Benedictine abbeys of Hautvillers, Pierry, Verzy and Saint-Nicaise in Rheims, which owned the best vineyards in Champagne. They grew vines and produced sparkling wines. Jacques Fournet's company flourished throughout the 19th century. After the First World War, the company acquired a 13th-century residence, the so-called "House of the Counts of Champagne". This was the house of Thibault IV, a famous feudal lord of medieval France during the reign of Louis IX. Thibault IV was King of Navarre, master of the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise and the last Count of Champagne. He was also a famous poet and musician, for which he earned the nickname "Thibault the Minstrel". His muse was Blanche of Castile, queen of France, wife of Louis VIII. Fleeing an unhappy love affair, Thibault IV fled France to join the Crusade to the Holy Land. On his return journey, Thibault IV brought back vines from Cyprus, which were the ancestors of today's Taittinger Chardonnay. At the start of the 20th century, the companies Fournet and Tatenges, originally from Lorraine, merged and took control of Champagne production. In 1932, Pierre Tatinje acquired Château Marquetter, an 18th-century mansion famous for its vineyards, where Chardonnay and Pinot were planted. It was Pierre who decided that the Chardonnay variety would dominate the Tatengè brand, bringing lightness, elegance and a variety of flavours.

Champagnes produced by the House of Tătănge have quickly enough achieved the status of great wines. Each bottle bears the coat of arms of Thibault IV. Today, Maison Tatinjé is one of the greatest names in Champagne. The House's products are exported to over 100 countries around the world, a sign of luxury and prestige.

We accept