Krug's Grande Cuvée is the very essence of the Maison's philosophy: Joseph Krug's goal to offer the most generous and complex Champagne possible every year, regardless of climatic variations. The 173ème Édition is a masterpiece of blending, a symphony of wines spanning several vintages to achieve a fullness that a single year could never offer.
Champagne Krug - Grande Cuvée 173ème Édition
The Krug Grande Cuvée 173ème Édition is built around the 2017 harvest, a vintage characterized by climatic challenges that required all the mastery of the Chef de Caves to select only the most expressive grapes. To achieve Krug's stylistic signature, the final blend draws on a vast library of reserve wines (about 45% of the total), selected from as many as 11 different vintages. Each bottle of Grande Cuvée requires over twenty years of dedication to create: from the selection of the individual plot to the long rest in the Reims cellars. The result is a Champagne of extraordinary depth and elegance, capable of evolving magnificently for decades.
Sensory Profile In the glass, it presents with a pale golden color and a very fine, almost velvety perlage. The nose is an explosion of aromas: freshly bloomed flowers, ripe citrus, marzipan, and gingerbread blend with notes of honey, toasted almonds, and a delicate mineral trace. On the palate, the entry is majestic and vibrant. The structure is imposing but supported by a citrus freshness that gives dynamism. Notes of brioche, nougat, and dried fruit chase each other in an endlessly persistent, clean, and deeply savory finish.
Winemaking and Aging True to the Maison's tradition, fermentation takes place in small oak barrels, which give the wine its characteristic complexity and longevity. The 173ème Édition is a blend of 131 base wines from 11 different vintages (the youngest is 2017, the oldest dates back to 2008). After bottling, the wine rested on its lees in the Maison's cellars for about 7 years, acquiring the silky texture and aromatic richness that make Krug unique in the world.
Food Pairings Krug Grande Cuvée is one of the most gastronomic Champagnes ever. It pairs magnificently with complex and structured dishes: from 36-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano to baked turbot with white truffle. Excellent with noble crustaceans (lobster and crayfish), refined Asian cuisine dishes, or white meats with cream sauces. It is, first and foremost, a wine for meditation.
Technical Data
Producer: Maison Krug
Wine: Champagne AOC
Edition: 173ème Édition
Base Vintage: 2017 (with reserves up to 2008)
Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir (45%), Chardonnay (37%), Meunier (18%)
Region: France (Reims, Champagne)
Aging: Approximately 7 years on lees
Alcohol Content: 12.5% Vol.
