4. added. These are amazingly rich and pure in youth developing red Burgundian notes
with long ageing such as in the 1988 or 1990 vintages.
Taittinger is one of the few family-owned independent Champagne houses in
Reims. It produces a very classy Non-Vintage blend and complex Vintage Champagnes
as well.
Its top Champagne is Comtes De Champagne - first produced in 1952, it is made from
100%Chardonnay grapes from 6 Grand Cru sites in the CĂŽte de Blancs. This is finely
aromatic, rich, creamy Blanc de Blancs at its best, though patience is required as the
wine should not be approached for at least ten years.
Veuve Clicquot
Philippe Clicquot-Muiron established Veuve Clicquot in 1772. However, it was
Phillipe`s daughter-in-law, Nicole-Barbe Clicquot, who really laid the foundations of the
modern company. She was one of the great innovators - it was she who invented
remuage in the early 19th century. Now it is part of the LVMH group. The Non-Vintage
Brut is a blend of 55% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier. It has a
nose of white fruits and freshly baked bread and is fresh and balanced on the palate.
The vintage wines are similar in character but with more depth of fruit and more
structure. La Grande Dame, first made in 1969, is a rich, smooth and finely textured
Champagne that simply oozes class and breeding.