An exceptional year
The Taittinger Champagne House only creates a ‘cuvée millésimée’ when the grape harvest is of an outstanding quality. Several years of maturing in the cellars will then be needed to ensure that the aromas slowly mature and develop the wine’s complexity and long-lasting character. Our vintages are made wholeheartedly with the discerning Champagne connoisseur in mind.
2016: A deep and complex vintage
2016 was a mixed year and later than average.
The wine-growing year started off with a particularly mild winter. The cold finally arrived in March. The end of April was marked by an unusual succession of destructive spring frosts and spring itself was notable for its lack of sunshine and very heavy rainfall, which encouraged the onset of mildew. July was particularly cool and rainy. This capricious weather demanded much adaptability from both plants and winegrowers alike.
At last, come August, the good weather finally arrived! It was very dry, sunny and hot, scorching even, giving the vines the perfect end to their growing cycle. The harvest began in mid-September in the cool of autumn. It was a particularly staggered affair and the first grapes were picked between the 10th and 27th September, depending on the area. The grapes were perfectly ripe, and even though the quantity harvested was less than in previous years, the grapes were superb, producing wines that are elegant, fresh and fruity; true “classics”! After a trying wine-growing year, the high quality of this harvest was just reward for the work done in the field and delighted all those involved in the chain.
