There are visits to a wine region … and then there is a visit to Champagne. Champagne carries the magic of the iconic chalk soils of the Côtes des Blancs, which give the wines their signature elegance and finesse. Stately châteaux display the emblems of some of the world’s most recognizable brands, while carved-out cellars shelter bottles that develop their effervescence through the traditional alchemic blend of yeast and sugar. Whether you are a bubbly connoisseur or a curious newcomer, Champagne Taittinger is an ideal place to discover what makes this region exceptional.
The Taittinger house dates back to 1734, though the Taittinger family has guided the estate for roughly the last century. For forty years Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger led the brand; he has since passed leadership to his daughter Vitalie, who serves as president, and his son Clovis, who is the general manager. The family emphasizes timelessness and refinement, yet they also believe Champagne should not be reserved only for grand milestones. Instead, their philosophy encourages enjoying fine bubbles during everyday moments as well as special occasions.
A visit to Champagne Taittinger reflects that balance of luxury and accessibility. Tastings are held in Reims at the Demeure des Comtes de Champagne, a 13th-century townhouse thought to have belonged to Thibaud IV, crusader and explorer who was King of Navarre and Count of Champagne. Guests enter a room that evokes a chapel, with a wrought-iron chandelier, a long rectangular table lined with pillar candles and an “altar” displaying a selection of Taittinger cuvees, uncorked and ready for tasting.
© Kelly Magyarics
Offered in French or English, the 50-minute tasting introduces the brand’s history and presents two tasting choices. L’Instant Rosé pairs a glass of Brut Réserve—marked by peach, acacia and honey notes—with a glass of Prestige Rosé, whose 15 percent addition of still red wine creates a vivid pink color and pronounced aromas of wild raspberry and cherry. The more indulgent L’Instant Gourmet features a glass of Brut Vintage 2016, a blend of equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with 70 percent of the grapes sourced from Grands Crus vineyards. Aged five years in the cellar, the vintage reveals aromas of pear, verbena and kumquat, along with flavors of honeysuckle and bitter orange peel. Enthusiasts will also taste Prélude Grands Crus, crafted from grapes from top Grands Crus sites, offering layered, complex notes of elderflower, citrus, cinnamon and white peach.
If you choose the premium tasting, you may sample Comtes de Champagne, Taittinger’s tête de cuvée named for Thibaud IV. This flagship bottling is produced only in the finest vintages and can be aged up to a decade, showcasing the house’s most accomplished expressions.
At the moment, access to the historic underground cellars is limited to a virtual tour until the site reopens next year. The relaunch will bring a refreshed visitor experience, including dining options and a concept store at Château de la Marquetterie, Taittinger’s Louis-Quinze 18th-century manor near Épernay. Standing in the manor or elsewhere with a glass of chilled vintage Brut—its fine stream of bubbles rising into a delicate mousse—you can imagine the cultivated atmosphere once shared by Voltaire and the French literati who gathered here during harvest. La belle vie, indeed.