Krug ID | Krug Grande Cuvée | 313040

Krug Grande Cuvée 161^ème Édition

Composed around the harvest of 2005

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: the most generous expression of Champagne.

Krug Grande Cuvée is re-created every year, beyond the notion of vintage and is a blend of over 120 individual wines from more than 10 different years. The fullness or flavours and aromas achieved by this careful art of blending would be impossible to express with the wines of a single year.

Champagne notes

COMPOSITION

44%

Pinot Noir

37%

Chardonnay

19%

Meunier

Blend

134 wines from 12 different years

Oldest wine from

1990

Youngest wine from

2005

Cork received

summer 2013

A talk with Julie Cavil

Krug Cellar Master

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. Each year, the House of Krug honours this dream with a new Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée: the most generous expression of Champagne.

Krug Grande Cuvée 161ème Édition was composed around the harvest of 2005. It was a year of patience and diligence in which a mild winter was followed by a hot, overcast summer. While the harvest in Champagne officially began on 12th September, every decision at Krug is based on tasting and so the House chose to wait a further week. The generous yield revealed an exceptional level of freshness.

The wines of the year - which made up 68% of the final blend - revealed a vibrant character. To complement this and imbue the blend with Krug Grande Cuvée's distinctive fullness of flavours and aromas, a select number of wines were chosen from the House's extensive library of reserve wines from over 14 different years. Among them, Chardonnays from older years and a diverse selection of Meuniers bring the shine, generosity and depth so essential to every Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée.

Ratings

Jancis Robinson 2020

RATING: 18.5/20

Tasting notes

A light golden colour and fine, vivacious bubbles, holding a promise of pleasure.

Aromas of flowers in bloom, ripe, dried and citrus fruits, as well as marzipan and gingerbread.

Flavours of hazelnut, nougat, barley sugar, jellied and citrus fruits, almonds, brioche and honey.

‍

Tasting notes

A light golden colour and fine, vivacious bubbles, holding a promise of pleasure.

Aromas of flowers in bloom, ripe, dried and citrus fruits, as well as marzipan and gingerbread.

Flavours of hazelnut, nougat, barley sugar, jellied and citrus fruits, almonds, brioche and honey.

‍

KRUG X MUSIC

The House of Krug has long sensed that a link existed between sound and taste perception. Many appreciators of fine wine and Music, or anyone who has used the Krug App, understands the joy of savouring this extraordinary Champagne while listening to a piece of Music and how such an experience allows one to travel down direct pathways to the sensations.

The House collaborates with renowned artists, as well as with rising newcomers who compose original tracks following their tastings with the Cellar Master. Their Music Pairings or “Krug Echoes” are accessible to anyone on Krug.com or via the Krug app, making it possible to share their unforgettable experience with Krug Champagne at home.

DISCOVER KRUG ECHOES

FOOD PAIRING

Krug Grande Cuvée lends itself to a wealth of culinary combinations, from the simplest to the most sophisticated, from an aged parmesan to turbot à la truffe. This Champagne can be enjoyed as an aperitif with Jabugo ham and mature comté or served to accompany oysters, grilled shrimps, Indian or Moroccan food, as well as desserts such as carrot cake, tarte tatin and cheesecake.

FOOD PAIRING

STORING & SERVING

The Right Temperature

The House of Krug recommends that its Champagnes be served between 9°C and 12°C, as colder temperatures limit the expression of their flavours and aromas.

The Right Glass

In 2011 the House of Krug partnered with renowned crystal maker, Riedel, to design a glass that would most generously reveal the fullness of flavours and aromas of Krug Grande Cuvée.

The Influence of Time

Krug offers only prestige Champagnes, the most important characteristic of which is that they will gain beautifully with the passage of time.

Wine Diamonds

The House of Krug’s unique craftsmanship is based on our understanding every plot through its individual wine. After several tastings by the tasting committee, a thorough assessment of each plot’s wine is achieved.