Champagne Taittinger Comtes de Champagne

Wine information: The origins of Champagne Taittinger date back to the original house founded in 1734 by Jacques Fourneaux. However its links to the Taittinger family started in 1931 when it was purchased by the founder of today's company; Pierre Taittinger. Today it remains owned and managed by the Taittinger family and is headed up by Pierre Emmanuel Taittinger.  Pierre Emmanuel's son, Clovis Taittinger and daughter, Vitalie Taittinger both work in the business making it very much a family affair. The Taittinger headquarters are in Reims, situated above magnificent 4th Century Roman cellars which at one time belonged to the Benedictine monks of the abbey of St Nicaise. Its miles of tunnels and cellars are perfect for the slow but necessary ageing process involved in making this great Champagne. The hallmark of the Taittinger blend is the high percentage of Chardonnay it contains,this gives the wines ultimate elegance, delicacy and finesse. This outstanding champagne was first produced in the cellars of the thirteenth century Saint-Nicaise Abbey in Reims. The greatest care is taken at every stage of production. "Comtes de Champagne" is only produced when all the conditions, essential to its unique style, are met : the harvest must be of exceptional quality and worthy of vintage champagne and it is made exclusively from white Chardonnay grapes from the most renowned vineyards of the Côte des Blancs. Only wines from the first pressing (La Cuvée) are used. This guarantees the wine's finesse. 5% of the wines used in the blend are aged in new oak barrels (one third of which are replaced every year), thus enhancing the intrinsic qualities of the final blend. Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 1998 is an exceptional wine boasting remarkable finesse; its aromatic qualities and intense flavours make it a superior quality champagne. The colour is pale yellow with silvery glints. The bubbles are exceptionally fine and abundant and form a lively and lasting elegant necklace of mousse. The nose is intensely fine and ethereal, reminiscent of mineral aromas and the delicate fragrance of white blossom, with overtones of fresh almonds, vanilla and a subtle hint of pine forests. The first impression on the palate is of extreme freshness, with dominant flavours of citrus fruits, lemon zest and grapefruit and a lightly acidulous, beautifully balanced finisht is the ideal celebratory wine for rare and intense moments and is perfect to highlight an important event. It makes a wonderful accompaniment to fish and seafood starters (white tuna carpaccio with truffles). "Light yellow. Stony peach and pear aromas are complicated by smoked meat and Asian spices. Round and filled in, with admirably deep pit fruit flavors, a pliant texture and a fresh mineral kick on the finish. Leaves a strong pear impression on the palate and an echo of minerals." 93 Points, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar.

 
     

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