Champagne Taittinger – Fun Facts Absa | Corporate and Investment Banking > Insights and Events > Champagne Taittinger – Fun Facts SHARE Taittinger is the 3rd oldest Champagne House, but for nearly 2 centuries it was known as Forest-Fourneaux. In 1734 Jacques Fourneaux learned from the Benedictine monks under the guidance of Brother Oudart, who worked with Dom Perignon – both early developers of sparkling wine. Forest-Forneaux originally marketed its wines under the name of each village e.g. “vins d’Ay, or “vins de Bouzy”. Pierre Taittinger first visited Champagne as a wounded officer in WW1. He recuperated at the Château de Marquetterie. He was so taken by the elegance and beauty of the Château that he vowed to buy it. The Great Depression and the Prohibition gave him an opportunity to purchase the Château and the vineyards. In the 4th century, chalk pits were patiently excavated to extract blocks of construction chalk. 900 years later, these caves became the basement of the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise. The Abbey was destroyed during the French Revolution, but its basements remained intact. Maison Taittinger matures its prestige cuvées 18 meters underground in these cellars “Les Crayères de Reims”. The cellars are now a UNESCO world heritage site and open to the public. Folies de la Marquetterie, a single-vineyard wine, was the first Champagne produced under the Taittinger name. Claude Taittinger loved art and created the Taittinger Collection in 1983. He received support from some of the greatest names in contemporary art to showcase the best vintage Grands Crus produced by the House. Taittinger selects only the very best vintages to be decorated by an artist for the Taittinger Collection, which contains 13 editions to date. From 2014 onwards, Taittinger has been the official Champagne for the ‘beautiful game’ – the FIFA World Cup. It is also served at the Paris Opera, the Montreux Jazz Festival and the British BAFTAs… wherever excellence is expressed with passion. Today, Taittinger is a global brand selling over 5 million bottles p.a. in 150 countries. Taittinger is one of only three Champagne Houses to own extensive vineyards – 288 across 15 villages, most of them Grand Crus. The Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs cuvée is made entirely from Chardonnay from only the best vines in the prestigious Côte des Blancs. It is the epitome of sophistication and balance. Taittinger Brut Réserve is made from 40 % Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier, using perfectly matured grapes harvested from over 35 different vineyards. This high proportion of Chardonnay is unique among fine non-vintage wines. https://cib.absa.africa/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/file_example_MP3_700KB.mp3 Related Articles CHAMPAGNE Timeless Elegance: De Venoge Champagne As we raise our glasses to celebrate the festive season, it seems fitting to delve into the world of a renowned Champagne house that has stood the test of time with grace and sophistication. De Venoge stands for excellence, heritage, and nearly two centuries of crafting fine Champagne. Read more CHAMPAGNE Champagne Boizel – “One family, one house, one tradition” Interview with David Rieu, Export Manager Champagne Boizel. Welcome to a rainy Johannesburg! I believe you have just got off the plane from France? Read more CHAMPAGNE Champagne Pol Roger – the most British of Champagnes Interview with Derek Kilpin, Managing Director – Great Domaines Read more The Champagne in Africa team support enjoying life and the responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages are not for persons under the age of 18. Please remember to drink responsibly.
