Understanding Champagne Krug

Krug is seen by many within the Champagne industry as the pinnacle of quality and desirability. Waited on with much anticipation each new release, a global, growing appreciation and admiration gives it a cemented name within the luxurious lifestyle communities.

It sits as confidently as Rolls Royce (or should I say the more desirable Bentley) in the world of Champagne and though competitor labels may be more fashionable and trendy, let’s call them Ferrari’s and Lamborghini’s, if you are after elegance and sophistication then your engine runs on Krug.

Masters of blending with a strong family history, Champagne Krug is not a brand that offers entry level labels and instead you are in right at the top of wine-making skills upon every cork that is popped. Aged with incredible patience and the confidence to do things their way mostly in regards to their loyalty to Meunier and choosing blends over vintage, it also sits as one of the best wine investment brands.

“Krug’s savoir faire combines individuality – represented by 250 plots’ wines from the year and 150 plots’ wines from 14 different years from the vast reserve wine library – with the art of blending taken to its peak every year, through the creation of Krug Grande Cuvée, and an essential respect of the time required to achieve the beauty, expression and elegance of all Krug Champagnes.” Krug Champagne

 

Understanding Champagne Krug Labels

There are six labels that Krug offer and it all starts with the Grand Cuvée. If you are new to Krug then the best place to start is with this label made with a blend of over 120 different wines from more than 10 different years. Each release has it’s own unique identity which today can be researched via Krug ID showcasing composition, food pairing suggestions and more.

Since 1843 the Grand Cuvée has been released, each identified by their ÈME ÉDITION naming with the latest release from Krug being Cuvée 170ÈME ÉDITION.

Next in the range we’ve the opportunity to enjoy Krug Rosé which was born in 1976 (first released to the market 1983) and is also identified by editions with the latest being 26ÈME ÉDITION.

Many Champagne houses will have their vintage label as their prestige cuvée, yet with Krug their house tradition is blending – Nonetheless their fans can enjoy the expression of single year harvests with Krug Vintage their Champagne No.2. Released upon exceptional years and with the classic Champagne blend, their Vintage label remains aging for at least ten years in their cellars prior to coming on the market.

From here we now approach the acclaimed labels of this winery starting off with the Krug Clos du Mesnil which is a Chardonnay (Blanc de Blancs) via a single plot (clos) vineyard from Mesnil-sur-Oger. These are very small production wines and prices will start off expensive and further escalate as their scarcity and demand grows with the 2006 release totalling only 14,973 bottles and 800 magnums. Price per 75 cl bottle is £1,000 via Farr Vintners.

The other single vineyard is the Krug Clos d’Ambonnay which is an even smaller walled plot of just 0.68 hectares located in Ambonnay. This Pinot Noir (Blanc de Noirs) label is one of the most sought after from Krug with Champagne Direct selling it at £3,050 a 75cl bottle.

Lastly from the range we have Krug Collection which offers a deeper indulgence into the Krug Vintage in that extended aging in the cellars take place. These ‘Collection’ vintage labels will have rested on lees in the perfect cellar setting and tasted at regular intervals until the peek quality has been reached – They are guaranteed by Krug with a certificate of authenticity signed by Olivier Krug, which can be provided upon request.

 

Bottle images: Copyright Krug