In keeping with its spirit of openness and commitment to delivering a fresh vision of champagne culture, Maison Taittinger is enhancing its guest experience at its historic Saint-Nicaise venue with the launch of two brand new tasting workshops: “The art of blending: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir” (read our article here) and “Comtes vertical”.
Designed as opportunities for sharing knowledge and making new discoveries, these workshops are an immersion in the House’s savoir-faire and style of blend. Intended for both the discerning enthusiast and the devoted connoisseur, they offer a sensory tasting experience allowing visitors to gain a deep insight into the House’s champagnes.
Taking place in Polychrome, Taittinger’s new space dedicated to the art of blending and champagne tasting, participants can choose between two workshops, one of which reveals secrets about the production of Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs through the tasting of three exceptional vintages, while the other highlights the unique features of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blends with the Prélude Grands Crus, Brut Millésimé and Folies de la Marquetterie.
Discover the tasting workshop “Comtes vertical” here, available until December 31.
“Comtes Vertical”: the epitome of Chardonnay through time
Paying tribute to the signature House cuvee, the “Comtes Vertical” workshop offers a unique tasting of three Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs vintages: 2014, 2013 and 2012.
This workshop is an opportunity to explore the finesse, complexity and longevity of Comtes de Champagne, the jewel in the crown of Maison Taittinger. Accompanied by a comparative study of three vintage years, the tasting invites visitors to experience the evolution of Comtes de Champagne as it ages – how time softens the edges, lends the texture more complexity and brings new aromatic nuances to life.
Vintage Tasting Notes
Comtes Blanc de Blancs Grands crus 2014
“The Comtes de Champagne 2014 reveals a unique structure, underpinned by a controlled energy that is channelled by both the acidic and bitter components.” Alexandre Ponnavoy, Cellar Master.
The robe boasts a sparkling yellow colour and slight flashes of silver. Its bubbles are fine and delicate, with an almost silky texture. On the nose, it expresses notes of citrus fruits, white flowers, white fruits and aromatic plants. On the palate, the cuvee offers a superb, mouthwatering freshness, an excellent structure with light components, refined bitter notes, and a long, saline finish. This cuvee surprises from the first sips with its incredible youthfulness and its crystal-clear, taut texture.
2014 was a particularly technical and challenging year in Champagne in terms of climate. After a mild winter with minimal risk of frost, followed by a dry and sunny spring and a cool summer, there was no mildew or grey mould despite abundant rainfall throughout the year. These unusual conditions saw the Chardonnay, supported by chalky terroir that provides better drainage and moderates climatic variations, fully showcase its fruit character, elegance, balance and minerality when harvested.
Comtes Blanc de Blancs Grands crus 2013
“This October vintage, the only one of its kind in two decades, benefits from a prolonged growing season which allows it to express a remarkable mineral concentration and an intense chalky purity.” Alexandre Ponnavoy, Cellar Master.
The nose takes you into a world of freshness. This vintage captivates through its precision, its density and its blend of ripe citrus fruit flavours with pastry notes. This wine extends its energy with dynamism and a striking purity of aromas, superbly revealing the saline and mineral austerity of the excellent Côte des Blancs terroirs.
In 2013 the grapes were slow to ripen, which is why this was one of the last vintages harvested in October. Meanwhile, mid-April was exceptionally hot, dry and sunny with over 800 hours of sunshine, creating ideal conditions for a strong and vibrant Comtes de Champagne.
Comtes Blanc de Blancs Grands crus 2012
“2012 produced a fresh, precise and mature wine with beautiful structure.On the palate, we discover powerful notes of acacia, with plenty of fruit and texture.” Alexandre Ponnavoy, Cellar Master.
The nose takes you into a world of maturity and voluptuousness. It releases notes of candied citrus fruits, Williams pears and apricots. This Comtes de Champagne unveils pastry and brioche aromas, including lemon meringue, nougat and almond. A wine of great mineral power, dense and rich with Chardonnays flexing a hint of iodine.
The year 2012 proves to be an excellent Champagne vintage. This highly contrasting 2012 vintage is characterised by a succession of climatic events which made for particularly challenging conditions for the vines: periods of frost in February and a mild May, followed by hailstorms that affected several areas of the vineyard between April and July. Strong periods of sunshine ensued without excessive heat levels, coupled with low yields that allowed for a rare level of maturity and led to the emergence of a harmonious and balanced Comtes de Champagne.
