Krug Grande Cuvée 173rd Edition is the embodiment of Joseph Krug's dream: to offer the best possible champagne every year, regardless of the vagaries of the weather. More than a vintage, it is a collective work born from the blending of more than 150 wines from 13 different years, with a significant proportion of reserve wines. This iconic cuvée, offered here in a bottle, reflects the visionary spirit and absolute standards of the House of Krug.
The creation of Krug Grande Cuvée 173rd Edition
Each year, Krug reinvents its icon: the Grande Cuvée. The 173rd Edition was built around the 2017 harvest, a vintage marked by climatic contrasts but offering expressive and balanced grapes. The final blend brings together wines from 13 different years, the oldest dating back to 2001.
Reserve wines account for 31% of the blend, bringing the depth, roundness, and complexity that characterize each Edition. This patient work, a veritable aromatic mosaic, required more than 20 years of accumulated know-how and collective expertise.
Blend
- Pinot Noir (44%) brings structure, vinosity, and aromas of red fruit.
- Chardonnay (34%) brings freshness, elegance, and floral and citrus notes.
- Pinot Meunier (22%) brings roundness, suppleness and fleshy fruit.
This composition illustrates Krug's desire to transcend the notion of vintage by favoring aromatic richness and consistency of style.
Tasting Krug Grande Cuvée 173rd Edition
Color
A golden, brilliant, and luminous color, enlivened by a fine, persistent effervescence.
Nose
An expressive and powerful nose, combining toasted and brioche notes, stone fruits, verbena, hints of pastry cream, French toast, and a touch of rum baba.
Palate
A smooth and generous palate, with flavors of peaches in syrup, ripe citrus fruits, hints of pine nuts and toast. A precise finish, marked by a clear and refreshing citrus note.
Food and wine pairings
- Aged Parmesan
- Jabugo ham
- Mature Comté cheese
- Fine oysters from the salt marshes
- Grilled shrimp
- Turbot with truffles
- Carrot cake
- Tarte Tatin
- Cheesecake
Serving and storage tips
Serving
Serve Krug Grande Cuvée 173rd Edition between 9 and 12°C. Serving it too cold would inhibit its aromatic richness. Use a tulip glass to highlight the complexity and generosity of its aromas.
Storage
Store your bottles at the same temperature as serving temperature, between 9 and 12°C, in a dark, stable cellar, lying down, with around 70% humidity. All Krug champagnes gain in complexity and patina over time.
Aging potential
This 173rd Edition is already remarkable for its balance and generosity. Over the years, it will evolve towards notes of honey, pastry, and toasted hazelnut. You can confidently store it for 15 years or more in the right conditions.
Anecdote
Each Edition of Krug Grande Cuvée has a "Krug ID," allowing you to discover its detailed history: grape varieties, vintages, reserve wines, and anecdotes about its creation. The 173rd Edition pays tribute to Joseph Krug's founding idea: a champagne free from the constraints of the vintage, designed as an experience of absolute generosity.
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