Taittinger

History

Taittinger's history dates back to 1734 when Jacques Fourneaux founded the Forest-Fourneaux company in Reims, France. Initially, the business focused on producing still and sparkling wines, working closely with local Benedictine monks to learn the art of winemaking. In the 1820s, Jacques' great-grandson Jérôme formed a partnership with Antoine Forest, and the business began to flourish, especially in export markets like Britain and the United States.

By the 1930s, Forest-Fourneaux was struggling due to World War I, the Great Depression, and Prohibition. Pierre Taittinger, a wine merchant from Lorraine, saw an opportunity to buy Château de la Marquetterie near Épernay and relaunch the Champagne business under the Taittinger name. The Taittinger family expanded the vineyards and established the cellars in the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise, solidifying Taittinger as a leading Champagne house.

Over the years, the Taittinger family has maintained a commitment to quality, with Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger leading the company since 2006. Despite financial challenges in 2005, the family regained ownership and continues to produce exceptional champagnes, including the renowned Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs and Rosé. Today, Taittinger is one of the few independently owned Champagne houses, known for its rich history and high-quality wines.

Terroir

Taittinger's terroir is located in the heart of Reims, a region renowned for the quality of its vineyards. The terroir is characterized by gently sloping hills with optimal sun exposure, which contributes to the ripening and quality of the grapes. The chalky soil, typical of the Champagne region, provides ideal drainage and adds a distinctive minerality and freshness to the champagnes. The temperate, ocean-influenced climate with cold winters and moderately hot summers ensures good acidity and optimal ripeness of the grapes. This combination of factors results in bottles of sublime refinement and subtlety, reflecting the true signature style of Maison Taittinger.

The estate covers 288 hectares, distributed equally across 37 different vineyards, including those in the Côte des Blancs, Vallée de la Marne, and Montagne de Reims. The vineyards are planted with 37% Chardonnay, 48% Pinot Noir, and 15% Pinot Meunier, each contributing to the unique blend and style of Taittinger champagnes. The careful cultivation and sustainable practices employed by Taittinger ensure that the terroir's unique qualities are preserved, resulting in exceptional champagnes that embody the house's quest for excellence[1][3][4].