Taittinger

Taittinger, a renowned Champagne house situated in Reims, is widely recognized for its exceptional Chardonnay-based cuvées, with the prestigious Comtes de Champagne blanc de blancs serving as its pinnacle offering.

As a family-owned estate, Taittinger possesses around 290 hectares (710 acres) of vineyards, with approximately half dedicated to Pinot Noir, while Chardonnay and a small portion of Pinot Meunier account for the rest. These vineyards contribute 50 percent of Taittinger’s production, with the remaining supply sourced from longstanding partnerships with growers.

Taittinger’s Brut Reserve NV is crafted from 40 percent Chardonnay, while the two Pinot varieties comprise the remainder. This composition results in a refreshing and delicately balanced house style.

Moreover, Taittinger produces a diverse range of Champagne styles, including demi-sec, several rosés, and a selection of single-vineyard, vintage, and limited-edition wines.

The esteemed Comtes de Champagne stands as Taittinger’s flagship wine, originating from the 1952 vintage. The grapes used in this cuvée mainly come from grand cru vineyards situated in Avizé, Chouilly, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger.

To give the wine a taste of brioche and grilled almond, oak is used in a small amount. It adds subtle flavors instead of making the wine heavy or adding tannins. The bottles are aged for a minimum of 10 years in the subterranean chalk galleries beneath the former Saint-Nicaise Abbey, now the headquarters of Taittinger, in Reims.

Taittinger’s flagship blanc de blancs is widely regarded as one of the most consistently excellent Chardonnay-only Champagnes from the region.

Additionally, Taittinger produces a relatively rare Comtes de Champagne Brut Rosé. In this wine, the blend leans towards Pinot Noir dominance, with only 30 percent Chardonnay in the base wine, and 15 percent of the Pinot Noir undergoing red wine fermentation (fermented on skins) before blending.

Founded by Pierre Taittinger in 1932, the house flourished under the leadership of his son François, who assumed control in 1945 and expanded the cellars and vineyards, establishing Taittinger as a premier Champagne house. In 2005, the company was sold to the US investment group Starwood but was repurchased by the Taittinger family a year later.

Most recently, Taittinger has ventured into the English region of Kent, where they have established their own vineyard.