I have Just returned from an amazing 2-day Trip to Reims and Epernay hosted by Taittinger. Taittinger is one of the few champagne houses that are still family owned and actively managed by the family on the label. Taittinger are based in Reims and are headed up by Pierre Emmanuel Taittinger and his son Clovis and daughter Vitalie, both of whom are actively involved in the day to day running of the thriving champagne house. Taittinger is the second largest Domaine vineyard owner in Champagne with their own vineyards supplying well over half of their production needs, a proportion much greater than many other major champagne houses.
My Whirlwind trip started bright and early on the first flight out of Manchester at 6.45 am to Charles de Gaulle, we then headed over to the TGV to Champagne Ardenne where there was a coach waiting to whisk us off to Reims. It was a glorious sunny day in France and upon approaching champagne the rolling fields of vines looked magnificent in the spring sunshine. Once in Reims we headed to our first experience of the champagne lifestyle, Lunch at the Café du Palais. We were treated to a fantastic lunch with Taittinger Brut flowing freely. After lunch we headed back into the Centre of Reims to explore the Cathedral Notre dame de Reims. This magnificent cathedral dates back to 1211 and is so significant as all the kings of France have been crowned here.
After a little more sightseeing around this fascinating City we slowly headed back to our hotel, as you would expect everywhere you look there are references to champagne and every bar or restaurant people are sat outside sipping on glasses of champagne, Very elegant.
We were Collected again by Tatiinger and headed off to one of their Press Houses ‘Murigny’ The views were magnificent as the sun was setting over the rolling hills and as far as the eye could see where perfectly manicured vines. Each vine identical to the next in perfect straight lines and in complete symmetry to the adjacent rows. A thing of real beauty. Just as the sun was setting, we were served a glass of Comtes blanc de blanc 2007...WOW, simply perfect!
Dinner tonight was hosted by Jean Pierre Redont who was to become our host for the rest of the trip and a close personal friend to the Taittinger family. So now the real luxury has started with an outstanding dinner paired beautifully with various wines from Tattinger as well as a few extra little treats. Jean pierre explained each one of the wines we were about to taste and a little history about each one. Our first course was beautifully seared scallops with lemon grass and a slight hint of chilli, this was paired with Taittinger Prelude Grande Crus. Prelude is an equal blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and aged for more than 4 years in the cellar to give it real depth and complexity, both varietals come from Grand Cru villages. We were then served Tattinger Brut Millesime 2013 vintage this again is equal measures of Chardonnay and pinot noir but is only produced in years worthy of a vintage. The Vintage years give extra body and concemtrated fruits to the champagne and a perfect partner to our chicken, Fois Gras and Tuffle main course. We were then served Taittinger Nocturne Rose which has twice the dosage as brut giving it a touch of sweetness and making it slightly softer and mellow than some of the other champagnes. We were then served what was described as a desert of red fruits but was actually 6 very different ways to serve strawberries, too pretty to eat. We were then served the flagship champagne from Taittinger, Comtes Rose…. just phenomenal. This was the first time that I have had the privilege to try Comtes Rose. It is a great and complex champagne with a lovely rosewood colour, heady aromas and a wonderful elegant palate. The Rose is produced in even smaller quantities than Comtes and is aged for 8-10 years deep underground in the 4th Century cellars. Jean Pierre was a fascinating host and the evening will sit in my memory for a long time…..simply divine.
We woke the next morning raring to go as we were heading off to the famous 4th century Taittinger Nicaise cellars for a full tour then onto Chateau de la Marquetterie for a tour of the vineyards and our final lunch/tasting.
When we arrived at the Nicaise Cellars we were greeted by Jean Pierre again and he gave us a detailed introduction to Taittinger’s head office, whilst we were learning about the history of the Site Emmanuel Taittinger appeared from behind the group and introduced himself and welcomed us all personally. Such a passionate and fascinating gentleman, he explained his families values and belief in what they are so passionate about producing…..A true honor to meet the head of the Taittinger family.
After Emmanuel had thanked us all personally for visiting Tattinger we headed down to the 4th Century roman cellars which were simply incredible, they twist and turn everywhere with huge domed ceilings just unbelievable to think these were made by hand. The Cellars were also used as a hospital in the world wars and some of the carvings on the soft limestone walls are of drawings from soldiers that were convalescing. You could really feel the history down here. Taittinger only Cellar comtes here but every time you turn a corner it blows you away that 99,000 bottles are stacked on top of each other in cave after cave after cave. Each bottle being hand turned 1/8 or ¼ of a turn at a time over a period of about 6 weeks, it is then left to age for the next 8-10 years.
Once we had headed back up the several flights of stairs out of the Cellars it was back on the coach for the trip to Chateau de la Marguetterie, which I have been very excited about as this was the original Iconic family home and where the Taittinger story began. Taittinger owns 288 Hectares of vineyards spread over 37 different crus which are amongst the best localities of Champagne. The most famous of these are the vineyards surrounding Chateau Marquetterie.
Jean Pierre again welcomed us to the Chateau and whilst we served Comtes 2007 blanc de Blanc we listened whilst he explained the history of the house and how Taittinger are one of the few champagne houses to still own the original family house and its vineyards that’s surround this spectacular building. We were then treated again to a beautiful 3 course lunch with perfectly paired wines for every course. The highlight for me was lamb fillet served with Taittinger Folies de la Marquetterie. A stunning blend of 45% chardonnay and 55% pinot Noir (from around the Chateau) A small portion of the blend is vinified in large oak casks imparting weight and complexity. It is only made in very small quantities but is packed full of body and finesse, the perfect partner to the lamb. Absolutely my favorite wine of the trip…. Amazing.
Unfortunately, this meant we were at the end of our amazing and very privileged trip to Taittinger that will stay in my memory for ever…a truly unforgettable trip crammed full of experiences and facts. What I really got was the passion and family values behind such an iconic champagne house.
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