KRUG GRANDE CUVÉE 168ÈME ÉDITION
THE 168TH EDITION OF THE FULLEST EXPRESSION OF CHAMPAGNE
Krug Grande Cuvée is 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 honored
this vision with each new Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée:
the most generous expression of Champagne.
Krug Grande Cuvée is re-created every year, beyond the
notion of vintage and is a blend of over 120 individual
wines from more than 10 different years. The fullness or
flavors and aromas achieved by this careful art of blending
would be impossible to express with the wines of a single year.
TASTING NOTES: A light golden color and fine,
vivacious bubbles, holding a promise of pleasure. Aromas
of flowers in bloom, ripe, dried and citrus fruits, as well
as marzipan and gingerbread. Flavors of hazelnut,
nougat, barley sugar, jellied and citrus fruits, almonds,
brioche and honey.
KRUG GRANDE CUVÉE 168ÈME ÉDITION IN ESSENCE:
It is a blend of 198 wines from 11 different years, the
youngest is from the year 2012, while the oldest dates
back to 1996. Its final composition is 52% Pinot Noir,
35% Chardonnay and 13% Meunier. A stay of around seven
years, or six years in the case of half-bottles, in Krug’s
cellars gives Krug Grande Cuvée 168ème Édition its
distinct expression and elegance.
THE STORY OF ITS CREATION:
Krug Grande Cuvée 168ème Édition was composed
around the harvest of 2012, a beautiful year with a low
yield due to a succession of meteorological events.
Frost, rain, storms and hale all hit the vineyards of
Champagne in winter and spring 2012, followed by
the driest ripening season since 1974, resulting in
20% fewer grapes. § The final creation is the result
of blending wines of the year from carefully selected
plots with reserve wines of specific plots from 10
other years. As the wines of 2012 were reminiscent
of pastry with great roundness, reserve wines were
added to bring vivacity to the blend. Reserve
Chardonnays were chosen from certain plots in
Avize and Marmery for their freshness, while Pinot
Noir reserve wines from plots in the Montagne
de Reims Nord brought tension. In all, reserve
wines from the House’s extensive library made up
42% of the final blend, bringing the breadth and
roundness so essential to each Édition of Krug
Grande Cuvée.
KRUG GRANDE CUVÉE IS UNIQUE:
Krug Grande Cuvée is the first and unique Prestige
Champagne re-created every year, beyond the notion
of vintage. The art of blending wines from so
many different years gives Krug Grande Cuvée its
unique fullness of flavours and aromas, impossible
to express with the wines of just a single year.
The Édition number corresponds to the number of
times in the House of Krug the founder’s dream
has been re-created. It also serves as a reference
for collectors, to enjoy it later. The full story of
every Édition is revealed online via its Krug iD, the
six digits on the back label. Krug Grande Cuvée,
like all Krug Champagnes, will continue to gain with
the passage of time.
FOOD & WINE PAIRING INSPIRATION: Krug
Grande Cuvée 168ème Édition lends itself to a
wealth of culinary combinations, from the simplest
to the most sophisticated, from an aged parmesan
to turbot à la truffe. § It can be enjoyed as an
aperitif with Jabugo ham and mature comté or
served to accompany oysters, grilled shrimps,
Indian or Moroccan food, as well as desserts
such as carrot cake, tarte tatin and cheesecake.
