Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
Tattinger remains one of the few Champagne Houses to remain owned and actively managed by the family named on the label. Its origins date back to 1734 when the original house was founded by Jacques Fourneaux. The Taittinger link was established in 1931 when Pierre Taittinger, the founder of today’s company acquired the House. Pierre had spent much time in the Champagne region when serving in WWI as a young cavalry officer. Stationed at the Château de la Marquetterie, he fell in love with this remarkable property and its vineyards and eventually purchased the company. Today, the Reims based House is headed up by Pierre’s grandson, Pierre-Emmanual Taittinger and his son, Clovis and daughter Vitalie both of whom are actively involved in the day to day running of this thriving family Champagne House. The hallmark of the Taittinger Champagnes is the high percentage of Chardonnay used in their cuvées, which can be anything from 40% in the Brut Réserve NV to 100% in the prestigious Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs. This Chardonnay dominance imbues the House style with elegance, delicacy and finesse.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
The grapes for the Prélude cuvée come exclusively from fruit grown in Grand Cru classified vineyards. 50% Chardonnay grapes from the Côte des Blancs, including Avize and Le Mesnil sur Oger; and 50% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims area, including Mailly and Ambonnay. There are 17 named Grands Crus in Champagne covering approximately 9% of the vineyard’s total surface. A selection of these is used in Prélude, each Grand Cru site bringing precise characters to the blend such as minerality, structure or fruitness. All Taittinger’s vineyards are managed under the watchful eye of Christelle Rinvelle, Champagne Taittinger’s highly regarded vineyard manager. Taittinger manage their own vineyards with sustainability at the heart of every decision, meticulously cultivating every individual vine. They are HVE certified and accredited to Viticulture Durable En Champagne.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
The Prélude cuvée was produced only using the first press wines, with a blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir. Cool fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks; prior to the wines being meticulously blended. The final cuvée underwent secondary fermentation in the bottle in Taittinger’s cool cellars. It was aged for more than five years in the cellar, which unlocks its full potential.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
A Grand Cru Champagne full of finesse and complexity, with a creamy mousse, fresh floral aromas and citrus undertones. Lively and fresh with a silky palate and a long, rich finish bursting with flavour.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Chardonnay 50%, Pinot Noir 50%.