Champagne Krug Grande Cuvée 172e Edition

The domain

Maison Krug, founded in 1843 by Joseph Krug, is the fruit of the vision and passion of a man who wanted to create exceptional Champagnes regardless of climatic conditions. Thanks to an impressive collection of reserve wines, Joseph Krug succeeded in founding the first Champagne house dedicated to prestige cuvées, renewed every year. Today, the sixth generation of the family carries on the legacy of its founder, preserving the identity and distinctive style of Krug cuvées, each one the reflection of meticulous expertise.

THE 3 PRINCIPLES OF THE HOUSE OF KRUG

The Krug vineyard is a unique treasure trove comprising more than 250 parcels, including the renowned Clos du Mesnil and Clos d'Ambonnay. Joseph Krug kept a small black cherry-colored notebook in which all his ideas and parcels were listed, in order to be as precise as possible. The house is based on three fundamental principles: individuality, with each parcel vinified separately to preserve its character; blending, which results from the annual tasting of thousands of clear wines by the Tasting Committee; and time, with extended maturation allowing the champagnes to reveal all their complexity. Over 150 reserve wines, from an average of 10 to 12 vintages, are carefully stored in stainless steel vats to preserve their freshness.

KRUG CHAMPAGNE: THE MISSION OF THE CHEF DE CAVE

Since 2020, Julie Cavil has been Chef de Caves at Krug, succeeding Éric Lebel, her mentor for 14 years. Her mission is to recreate each year “the most generous expression of Champagne”, according to Joseph Krug's vision, by composing a new edition of Krug Grande Cuvée. After several months of tasting, the Committee selects the final blend from three proposals for the new Grande Cuvée of the year, and depending on the quality of the vintage, the decision is made whether or not to create a Krug Millésime. Krug champagnes then rest in the cellar for 5 to 20 years, depending on the cuvée, to develop their full complexity.

TIME TO TASTE KRUG CHAMPAGNES...

Joseph Krug shaped the identity of the House of Krug by laying two foundations: an identical cuvée each year, Krug Grande Cuvée, as the House's signature, and a cuvée Millésimée to capture the unique character of a particular year. This vision is behind emblematic cuvées such as Krug Grande Cuvée, Krug Vintage, as well as the parcel-based Clos du Mesnil and Clos d'Ambonnay, each reflecting an exceptional terroir. These champagnes, much appreciated for their richness and generosity, perpetuate the House's excellence and innovation, true to the pioneering spirit of Joseph Krug. The experience continues with each bottle sold, as they all have a unique six-digit number, allowing connoisseurs to discover the story behind each bottle, from the vintage to the best tasting conditions.