Sparkling Wines Champagne Taittinger - Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs - 2011

Viniou Reviews

Taittinger’s Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2011 is a refined expression of Chardonnay at its purest, hailing entirely from the Côte des Blancs, the heartland of grand cru vineyards. The 2011 vintage, despite a challenging and variable growing season, delivers remarkable finesse and freshness. Crafted exclusively from Chardonnay grapes picked from renowned villages such as Avize, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Cramant, the wine undergoes a slow fermentation and prolonged ageing on lees, enhancing its complexity and creamy texture. The blend, being a blanc de blancs, captures citrus, white flower and freshly baked brioche notes, punctuated by a signature chalky minerality.

The Champagne region, located in the cool north-east of France, is defined by its marginal climate and unique chalk-laden soils, which impart the region’s wines with vibrancy and a backbone of striking acidity. Its history is intimately connected to celebration and prestige, with Champagne having held a place at royal French tables since at least the 17th century. The land’s combination of Kimmeridgian chalk, a mild yet unpredictable climate, and centuries of viticultural expertise come together in cuvées such as Comtes de Champagne, prized for their ageing potential and delicacy.

This exceptional cuvée is effortlessly versatile at the table. The wine’s precision and tension call for elegant dishes such as lobster medallions with a citrus beurre blanc, scallops carpaccio, or Japanese sashimi. Its lively acidity and length pair beautifully with fresh goat’s cheese, or for a regional approach, try it alongside a delicate Chaource cheese. For celebratory starters, oysters or caviar enhance the wine’s saline edge.

To appreciate its aromatic nuance and fine mousse, serve the Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2011 well-chilled yet not icy, ideally between 9 and 11°C. A tulip-shaped glass is preferable to a classic flute, allowing the bouquet space to fully develop. If cellared, the wine will continue to evolve gracefully over the coming decade.