Magnum 1.5 litre bottle. The 166ème Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée has been created around the harvest of 2010. It was a year known for its tumultuous climate. Nonetheless, the grapes showed great promise until the cool end to the growing season that brought further cause for concern. The careful attention to the vines during the challenging period proved key to ensuring a good and healthy yield and of ideal maturity.
It was noted that the Chardonnay wines from the Côte de Blancs region did not reveal their usual freshness, but Krug's non-conformist approach to Champagne creation led them to counter this with the vivacity of the year's Meunier wines, including from Sainte-Gemme and Courmas.
A carefully chosen selection of relatively young reserve wines makes up 42% of the composition, most notable among them those from the year 2000, known for their remarkable structure and those from Oger for their generous roundness. The 2006 wines from Verzy and Bouzy added the final touch to the blend, imparting to it the harmony so essential to the creation of Krug Grande Cuvée.
Krug Grande Cuvée 166ème Édition is a blend of 140 wines from 13 different years, the youngest of which is from 2010, while the oldest dates back to 1998. Each bottle has spent seven years in Krug's cellars gives Krug Grande Cuvée 166ème Édition its distinct expression and elegance.
The final composition of this bottle is 45% Pinot Noir, 39% Chardonnay and 16% Meunier.
Colour: light golden and fine, vivacious bubbles, holding a promise of pleasure
Aroma: flowers in bloom, ripe, dried and citrus fruits, together with marzipan and gingerbread
Taste: flavours of hazelnut, nougat, barley sugar, jellied and citrus fruits, almonds, brioche and honey.
Storage: The bottle should be stored at the same temperature that it is recommended to be served, i.e. between 9°C and 12°C. Colder temperatures will slow down the Champagne's evolution, while warmer temperatures can cause irreversible damage. In general, thermal shocks should be avoided during storage and bottles should not be exposed to light. The bottle should also be handled with care, as the contents are under pressure.
Opening: When it's time to open the bottle, make sure it is pointed away from yourself and other people. Tilt it and remove the wire cap and foil. Holding the cork firmly with one hand, and the bottle with the other, turn the cork to slowly, to gently release.
Serving: It is recommended to serve Krug Grande Cuvée Champagne at between 9°C and 12°C. Any colder temperature would limit the full expression of flavours and aromas.
Background: Krug Grande Cuvée was born from the dream of one man, Joseph Krug, to craft the very best Champagne he could offer, every single year, regardless of annual variations in climate. Since 1843, the House of Krug has honoured this vision with each new Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée: a most generous expression of Champagne.
The bottle comes presented in a regal burgundy colour Krug Grande Cuvée branded box.
