We began our Champagne explorations in Reims where our first stop was Taittinger Champagne House. Champagne Taittinger, a showcase for one of the region’s most respected viticultural names, lived up to its reputation. Indeed, we had some of our most delightful Champagne moments at Taittinger. Please join me, as I share some of those special moments at Taittinger.
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| Tasting Champagne at Taittinger © Spaswinefood |
By coincidence when we stopped by Taittinger I met up with a #winelover friend. It is always special to reconnect with friends who share a passion for wine.
Taittinger is a well-known French wine family, famous for the production of Champagne. They offer tours, which includes a visit to their cellars, followed a tasting session. During our tour we were introduced to some of the history of the champagne house. The Taittinger Champagne House dates back to 1700's. Its early history begins in 13th Century when monks from Benedictine Abbey Saint-Nicaise converted Roman chalk mines into a wine cellar. While the abbey was destroyed, what would later become part of Taittinger's caves survived the French Revolution. In 1932 Pierre Taittinger acquired the property, which has remained in Taittinger hands, except for a very brief period when it was sold. Since 2006 Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger has led this Champagne house.
Our tour began with a walk down a spiral staircase to the caves. A walk through Taittinger's Caves is a walk through the history. For example, I saw this sign on the tour.
These historic cellars is where the aging of champagne occurs.
While visiting Taittinger I would also recommend that you visit the nearby Abbey of Saint-Remi to get a sense of the rich history of this wine region.
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| Taittinger Champagne Caves © Spaswinefood |
Taittinger is a well-known French wine family, famous for the production of Champagne. They offer tours, which includes a visit to their cellars, followed a tasting session. During our tour we were introduced to some of the history of the champagne house. The Taittinger Champagne House dates back to 1700's. Its early history begins in 13th Century when monks from Benedictine Abbey Saint-Nicaise converted Roman chalk mines into a wine cellar. While the abbey was destroyed, what would later become part of Taittinger's caves survived the French Revolution. In 1932 Pierre Taittinger acquired the property, which has remained in Taittinger hands, except for a very brief period when it was sold. Since 2006 Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger has led this Champagne house.
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| Champagne Taittinger History © Spaswinefood |
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| Taittinger History: François Taittinger 1939-1960 © Spaswinefood |
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| Champagne Taittinger Wine Cellar © Spaswinefood |
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| Abbey of Saint-Remi © Spaswinefood |
If you are looking for further historical and cultural insights into Reims, then the Cathedral of Notre Dame is a must.
Taittinger's Champagnes
The prestige cuvée Comtes de Champagne is their flagship wine. They produce a Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay), and Comtes de Champagne Rosé (70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay).
The 2006 vintage was available for tasting during our visit. Yes, tasting Vintage Champagne at Taittinger was indeed Champagne moments to remember.
While at Taittinger I was captivated by the bottle display near the entrance.
It is indeed an impressive display of bottle designs.
After the tour we were introduced to a Taittinger Brut Champagne.
While waiting for our private tasting I could not help but notice their Taittinger Prestige Rosé Brut NV display. This Taittinger Prestige Rosé Brut is a blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, and 25% Pinot Muenier.
They also produce Taittinger Brut Reserve NV (40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier).
Travels in Champagne Wine Country
Taittinger was the perfect place to begin our Champagne wine country travels. Throughout our travels we delighted in discovering various types of Champagne, tasting Vintage Champagne, and Champagnes made with 100% Pinot Meunier, one of the three grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier), used in the making of Champagne.
While in Reims we checked out local wine bars and restaurants, and explored nearby villages. Reims wine bars are a must. From all reports Au Bon Manger tops the list. I would suggest making a reservation well in advance.
We did manage to get a table at Le Wine Bar by Le Vintage.
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| Notre Dame Cathedral, Reims © Spaswinefood |
The prestige cuvée Comtes de Champagne is their flagship wine. They produce a Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay), and Comtes de Champagne Rosé (70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay).
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| Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne, Blanc de Blancs & Rosé 2006 © Spaswinefood |
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| Taittinger, Champagne Tasting © Spaswinefood |
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| Champagne Taittinger Bottle Display © Spaswinefood |
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| Champagne Taittinger Bottle Designs © Spaswinefood |
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| Champagne Taittinger Bottle Designs © Spaswinefood |
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| Champagne Taittinger Bottles on Display © Spaswinefood |
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| Taittinger Champagne Brut NV © Spaswinefood |
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| Taittinger Prestige Rosé Brut NV Display © Spaswinefood |
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| Taittinger Prestige Rosé Brut NV © Spaswinefood |
Travels in Champagne Wine Country
Taittinger was the perfect place to begin our Champagne wine country travels. Throughout our travels we delighted in discovering various types of Champagne, tasting Vintage Champagne, and Champagnes made with 100% Pinot Meunier, one of the three grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier), used in the making of Champagne.
While in Reims we checked out local wine bars and restaurants, and explored nearby villages. Reims wine bars are a must. From all reports Au Bon Manger tops the list. I would suggest making a reservation well in advance.
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| Au Bon Manger, Reims © Spaswinefood |
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| Le Wine Bar, Reims © Spaswinefood |
The historic Cafe de Palais was definitely a favorite local restaurant for us.
Our countryside explorations near Reims were great opportunities for us to discover nearby villages and vineyards along the way.
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Cafe de Palais, Reims © Spaswinefood
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| Vrigny Vineyards, Champagne-Ardene © Spaswinefood |
After Reims we traveled onto Epernay. At the end of a most wonderful week exploring the Champagne wine region we went to the Mosel Valley for the 3rd Annual #Winelover Riesling Marathon. Later, we would return our car rental to Reims and then return to Paris. Yes, Champagne wine country is classy, both the region and its wines. We would especially like to thank Claire Sarazin for being a wonderful host, not only during our visit to Taittinger, but also offering advice on things to do and see in Champagne wine country. I invite you to join me in my travels in the Champagne Region, France and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
Reims, France
May 2018
© Spaswinefood
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| Sideways Moments in Champagne © Spaswinefood |
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