A little history
Taittinger is the third oldest producer in the Champagne region. Its origins can be traced back to 1734, when Jacques Fourneaux founded the Forest-Fourneaux estate, benefitting from the wine-making expertise of local Benedictine monks. The House’s more recent history starts when Pierre Taittinger was based at the Château de la Marquetterie, located in the heart of the Champagne vineyards, during the First World War, and fell in love with the region. He returned in 1932, when the estate and additional extensive vineyard holdings were purchased by the Taittinger family.
The following decades saw the creation of the cellars in the astonishing crayères of the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise in Reims, and the gradual establishment of Taittinger’s international standing as a Champagne house of the highest distinction by Pierre’s sons, François and Claude. A further expansion into the luxury goods market eventually led to financial difficulties, and in 2005 the American owned Starwood Hotel Group bought the Taittinger brand.
The next chapter started when Claude’s charismatic nephew, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, who had always opposed the sale, bought back the family Champagne House in 2006, making Taittinger one of the few remaining independently owned Champagne Houses. He then assembled a highly talented and motivated young team, including his daughter and son, Vitalie and Clovis, to forge the future of the brand. They have preserved Taittinger’s heritage while ensuring its quality and reputation continue to soar.
In the vineyard
In the Cellar
THE CUVEES
Taittinger's Brut Reserve NV is the cornerstone of their collection. Perfectly matured 40 % Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier, from over 35 different vineyards produces a light, elegant and balanced champagne. Prelude is another Goedhuis favourite. Made solely from fruit grown in Grand Cru vineyards, it is the epitome of greatness and splendour, but with an extremely tempting price tag.
COMTES DE CHAMPAGNE
The jewel in Taittinger’s crown, released only in the best years. It is made with Chardonnay grapes from premium plots within the five Grands Crus villages of the Côtes des Blancs: Avize, Cramant, Chouilly, Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger, and aged for the best part of a decade in the Saint-Nicaise crayères. Highly collectable, it is one of the most enjoyable prestige cuvée Champagnes. Gorgeous in its youth but with the potential to age beautifully well over decades, and the release price remains determinedly reasonable.