The 2011 vintage of Taittinger's Comtes de Champagne Rosé

Taittinger is an independent Champagne House with international prestige that has built its reputation thanks to cuvées of great elegance and personality that are the result of the greatest terroirs. With 288 hectares of vineyards, Taittinger is one of the most important owners of vineyards in Champagne and stands out in particular for the Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, the largest Blanc de Blancs in France.

 

The release in Italy of the Comtes de Champagne Grands Crus Rosè has aroused much anticipation: the vintage that perfectly embodies the union between the Grands Crus of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, a cuvée with a decisive and balanced style that fits into the great tradition of the Maison expressing its elegant and pure savoir-faire. 

 

 

The Comtes de Champagne Rosé is composed of 40% Chardonnay Grands Crus from the most prestigious terroirs of the Côte des Blancs, and 60% Pinot Noir from the Grands Crus of the Montagne de Reims. For the 2011 vintage , during the blend, 14% of Pinot de Bouzy vinified in red was added, whose pre-fermentation maceration, rather long, brought an important tannic structure with aromas of red and black fruits.

 

 

2011 was a very special vintage, characterized by a spring drought that forced the roots of the vine to explore the soil in depth. A cool and humid summer, on the other hand, then favored the ripening of the grapes and prepared the August harvest in the best possible way. The Comtes de Champagne Grands Crus Rosè 2011 is characterized by the brilliance and elegance of its pink hue, some slight bright red reflections highlight the extreme finesse and delicacy of its effervescence. 

 

 

It is a Champagne of great power and aromatic density, thanks to the Chardonnays that give an iodine note, and the Pinot Noirs that give intense fruity aromas. The nose exudes delicious notes of gingerbread, black fruits, cherry and acacia flowers, which are intertwined with seductive aromas of mandarin peel, mint, licorice and sweet spices (turmeric, saffron) that give this wine a particular personality.

 

 

After a delicately fruity entry, a silky tannic structure arrives on the palate that reveals all the strength of the limestone Grands Crus terroirs. Comtes de Champagne Rosé takes time to reach full maturity: for this reason, the 2011 vintage has remained for twelve years to rest in the heart of the Gallo-Roman cellars of Saint-Nicaise: an aging that has allowed it to achieve an exceptional gustatory balance. A high-class aperitif, it admirably accompanies haute cuisine.  

 

 

Jacques Fourneaux created the Maison that would become Taittinger in 1734: at first he produced and traded only still wines, later also champagne; This is how, year after year, it reaches the peak of success and expands its market. In 1932 the Maison was purchased by Pierre Taittinger, who had discovered it and fallen in love with it during the Great War, when he was an officer stationed in Champagne. Distinguishing himself for his audacity and innovative style, from the 30s Taittinger entered by right among the great Champagne houses, and Chardonnay became its emblem by characterizing cuvées that stand out for their finesse, Elegance and lightness. Since 2020, Vitalie Taittinger, as President, and her brother Clovis, General Manager, have led the family business, continuously carrying on the style of the maison.