KRUG PRESENTS THE KRUG STUDIO EXPERIENCE WITH THE RELEASE OF KRUG GRANDE CUVÉE 170ÈME ÉDITION AND THE INTRODUCTION OF KRUG ROSÉ 26ÈME ÉDITION
Every year, the House of Krug honours the dream of one man, Joseph Krug with a new Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée, the most generous expression of Champagne. Driven by his understanding that the true essence of Champagne is pleasure itself, his dream was to craft the very best Champagne he could offer, every year, regardless of annual climate variations. Beyond the notion of vintage, Krug Grande Cuvée is always a blend of over 120 plots’ wines individually kept from more than 10 different years. The fullness of flavours and aromas achieved by this careful art of blending would be impossible to express with the wines of a single year.
As of 2017, Krug Grande Cuvée displays its Édition number on the front label. The Édition number identifies a specific creation of Krug Grande Cuvée and corresponds to the number of years in the House of Krug that the founder’s dream has been re-created. This turning point in Krug’s history brings to light the beauty, uniqueness, and collectability of these creations. Today, over one hundred and seventy-five years after Krug Grande Cuvée was first created, the House of Krug is delighted to present Krug Grande Cuvée 170 ème Édition.
Conversely, inspired by the dream of the fifth generation of the House of Krug to conceive a rosé Champagne that did not exist and could be re-created every year, the House of Krug is delighted to present Krug Rosé 26 ème Édition: the 26th creation of Krug Rosé in the history of the House, the 26th year this dream was re-created, and the sixth to feature the Édition number on its front label. This unique Champagne holds the promise of bold and adventurous gastronomic experiences.
A MUSICAL APPROACH TO CHAMPAGNE CREATION
At Krug, each individual plot of vines gives birth to a unique wine that the House keeps separately, following the evolution of its character to achieve the utmost precision and balance at the moment of blending. In musical terms, each plot of vines is a musician and each grape variety, an instrument, while the year is the musical score. This allows Krug’s Cellar Master to identify the wines to compose each year’s creation in the most harmonious way, like a conductor, auditioning musicians from the harvest year, as well as from previous years, who will perform together the symphony of Champagne. This musical masterpiece is called Krug Grande Cuvée, the most generous expression of Champagne, re-created every single year, regardless of climate variations.
KRUG ECHOES LIMITED EDITION: THE KRUG STUDIO EXPERIENCE
The origin of Krug x Music dates back to over a century ago, as love for Music has been the unsung muse for many members of the Krug family. In today’s ever-changing world, the House recognises and embraces its duty to go beyond traditional boundaries, and to connect with Krug Lovers through a universal language that transcends cultures, borders and linguistics; one which can evoke deep sensations at the core of the shared human experience. At Krug, Music is considered the natural tool to forge such a powerful connection with its global community network.
Building on the notion of food pairing and translating this idea into music, Krug invites guests to experience Krug Grande Cuvée 170ème Édition through a Music Pairing. Every year, Krug invites artists to translate their perception of the new Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée into music. This year, the House takes the Music Pairing experience to another level with a visual display to complement the tasting.
With the purchase of Krug Echoes Limited Edition, the highly coveted limited edition Krug Grande Cuvée 170ème Édition gift box, Krug Lovers will be able to access The Krug Studio experience, which is curated by multi-talented composer and Krug Lover, Ozark Henry. He explores the act of the creation of Krug Grande Cuvée 170ème Édition, from the Cellar Master’s inspiration to the final performance of 195 highly talented musicians. This immersive, soundsorial journey will open gateways to a new dimension, enhancing each sip and revealing new facets of Krug Grande Cuvée 170ème Édition.
Krug Echoes Limited Edition will be available to purchase in-store and online from 1st June 2022 at Watson’s Wine, ETC Wine, The House of Connoisseur and Avize.
KRUG GRANDE CUVÉE 170ÈME ÉDITION & KRUG ROSÉ 26ÈME ÉDITION
The varying circumstances of the year uniquely shapes each musician’s melody. Krug Grande Cuvée 170ème Édition & Krug Rosé 26ème Édition were crafted around the harvest of 2014, an erratic year in Champagne that oscillated between hot dry spells and cool rainy periods. Vines developed under good conditions, ensuring a generous harvest. The contrasting weather preserved freshness and resulted in great heterogeneity throughout the region, underscoring the importance of the House’s plot-by-plot approach. This musical score gave rise to wines with diverse aromatic expressions.
Krug Grande Cuvée 170ème Édition is a blend of 195 wines from 12 different years, a full orchestra of 195 musicians from 12 different years, with the youngest from 2014. The older and more mature musicians – some of them dating back to 1998 – have been rehearsing in Krug’s cellars over all these years, gaining in depth and resonance. Its final composition is 51% Pinot Noir, 38% Chardonnay and 11% Meunier. Reserve wines from the House’s extensive library made up 45% of the final blend. The Édition achieved its remarkable expression and elegance over a stay of around seven years in Krug’s cellars, and overall, 24 years of careful craftsmanship were needed for the 170th re-creation of the most generous expression of Champagne. At first sight, a light golden colour with fine, vivacious bubbles holds a promise of pleasure. On the nose are the aromas of flowers in full bloom, as well as ripe, dried, and citrus fruits, marzipan, and gingerbread. The palate displays an alluring combination of hazelnut, nougat, barley sugar, jellied and citrus fruits, almonds, brioche, and honey. This Champagne can be thoroughly enjoyed as an aperitif, paired with Jabugo ham and mature Comté, or served to accompany seafood, Indian or Moroccan food, and desserts such as carrot cake, tarte tatin and cheesecake.
Krug Rosé 26ème Édition is a blend of 28 wines from 7 different years, the youngest from 2014 and the oldest from 2005. Its final composition is 44% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 26% Meunier. Unexpectedly, it best accompanies very savoury dishes – best enjoyed with foie gras, lamb, game, white meat, venison or dishes with spices.
