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 honoured this vision with each new Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée. Unlike other Maison’s the wines needed for their NV are selected first, in the spring following the harvest. Then Krug considers the elements they want to keep from the last harvest for their reserves and finally they decide if they have the right components to make a vintage from that year. Often in great vintages like 2012 they decide they want more of the great wines in their reserve program rather than make a Krug 2012.

“Every year since the foundation of the House, a new Edition of Krug Grande Cuvée is created, every year the inspiration will be the same, but the creation will be totally unique and different.” Olivier Krug

This is the 167th creation of Krug Grande Cuvée and the fourth release to display the Edition on the label. The majority 58% is from its base year of 2011 and the remaining 42% is from 12 vintages of reserve wines the oldest being 1995 and the youngest 2011 some 191 wines make up the blend. This atypical year was divided into two parts: high temperatures up until the beginning of May resulted in blossoms three weeks early, followed by cold, wet weather with low sun. There was concern that the grapes might be overly mature but a three-day heat wave stopped maturation, while subsequent rains refreshed them. The year’s unusual weather led to the second earliest harvest since 1822. In the end, the grapes were healthy and gave rise to wines with a surprising structure and remarkable aromas. While the Chardonnays did not reveal their habitual freshness, it was a year for beautifully balanced Pinot Noir wines, particularly those from plots in Mareuil sur Aÿ.

Krug ID: 118002 | Each bottle of Krug has a Krug ID on the back label which enables you to discover the story of that very bottle. You can do so using the smartphone App or on the Krug website.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: Predominately Premier & Grand Cru
Grape Varieties: 47% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay, 17% Meunier
Base Vintage: 2011
Reserve Wine: 42%
Ageing: 7 years on the lees
Disgorged: Winter 2018
Dosage: 6 g/l
Alcohol: 12%
Drink: Now to 2029

Tasting Note: A light golden colour and fine vivacious bubbles, holding a promise of pleasure. Aromas of flowers in bloom, ripe, dried and citrus fruits combine with marzipan and gingerbread. On the palate, hazelnut, barley sugar with more citrus, brioche and almonds. A slight honeyed finish, long and lingering.

Krug Grande Cuvée 167th Edition does not come in a gift box.

Just five years after Joseph Krug founded his eponymous Champagne House in 1843, he documented his great vision for Krug in a cherry-red leather notebook. In it, he revealed the principles of creating a champagne of incredible richness yet great elegance, of selecting only the finest elements from the greatest terroirs, rejecting mediocre fruit and making both a non-vintage and a vintage cuvée - revolutionary at the time. Discovered in 2010 by current House Director and sixth generation of the founding family Olivier Krug, the ideals in this notebook and Krug's resolute commitment to them have secured their position as the most luxurious and exclusive of all Champagne producers.

Unlike other Champagne Houses, Krug's range consists of prestige cuvées only. Their iconic non-vintage Grande Cuvée is a masterful blend of some 120 wines, vintage Krugs are renowned as true classics, majestically displaying the characteristics of each harvest and their unique and exclusive single-vineyard champagnes, Clos du Mesnil and Clos d'Ambonnay are the ultimate rarities. The recent introduction of ID codes displayed on the back of every bottle - revealing base year, disgorgement periods and product information - has helped revise the vision of Krug in line with the great founder's philosophy.

Cellar Master: Julie Cavil
Winery Location: Reims | Champagne, France
Champagne Region: Montagne de Reims
Annual Production (bottles): 760,000