The Krug Way ... Craftsmanship

A Mastery of

Patience

Krug's cellars in Reims

For Maison Krug, time is not a constraint but a strength and constant ally. It takes more than 20 years to craft a new Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée, the most generous expression of Champagne. Krug Grande Cuvée is always a blend of at least 120 wines from more than 10 different years, the oldest always dating back over a decade. 

Each year, once the final composition has been created, each new Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée will enter Krug’s cellars, where they will rest for at least seven years.

Former Krug Cellar Master Eric Lebel
“From the selection of the grapes through to the slow maturation of our champagnes, patience is our fundamental guiding force. Krug cannot be rushed. Time is a strength and an ally.”

ÉRIC LEBEL

Former Krug Cellar Master & Deputy Director of Maison Krug

Insider's Note

Compared to a 75cl bottle of Krug Grande Cuvée, a Magnum (150cl) will rest for an additional year, and a Jéroboam (300cl) will spend two years longer in our cellars. Due to their size, these champagnes evolve more slowly and need more time to reach their full expression. 

While every decision at the Maison is made based on tastings, Krug Vintage, Krug Clos du Mesnil and Krug Clos d’Ambonnay will most often spend over a decade in the cellars. Krug Collection, the second life of Krug Vintage, is cellared upwards of 20 years before the new facets of its personality are revealed and it can be rediscovered. 

Once the Maison's Tasting Committee decides a Krug champagne is ready to emerge from the cellars and be presented, it can be enjoyed or carefully kept in the right conditions to be savoured at a later date. All Krug champagnes gain in complexity and patina with the passage of time. See our advice for storing and serving your bottle of Krug.

Bottles in the Krug cellars

KRUG’S PHILOSOPHY OF DOSAGE

At Krug, there are no rules around the dosage amount, but rather a philosophy. After resting for many years in our cellars, the dosage is the finishing touch. It should highlight the harmony of the champagne, without in any way altering its character.

 

Henri Krug
“For Krug, the right dosage is the one whose absence would be missed, but whose presence is imperceptible.”

Henri Krug

Fifth Generation of the Krug Family & Former Director of Maison Krug

Part 1

Welcome to

THE WORLD OF KRUG

Bottles of base wines
Title:

Individuality

Content:
Individuality is the art of transforming the harvest of each plot of vines into a single wine that captures the vineyard’s distinctive character.
Title:

The Art of Blending

Content:
In the months following the harvest, our Tasting Committee tastes and appraises some 400 wines, recording around 5,000 tasting notes.
A bottle of Krug Grande Cuvée and two glasses
Title:

Krug Grande Cuvée

Content:
Krug Grande Cuvée is born from the dream Joseph Krug to craft the very best champagne he could offer, every year, regardless of annual variations in climate.

Each year, Maison Krug honours his vision with a new Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée: the most generous expression of Champagne.