# Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs

- **Producer:** Champagne Taittinger
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** sparkling
- **Grapes:** 100% Chardonnay
- **Region:** Champagne, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–8 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** lemon, grapefruit, blossom, brioche, pastry, toasted bread, butter, almond, hazelnut, honey, caramel

## About this wine

Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is the prestige cuvée of Champagne Taittinger, a house celebrated for its independence and family ownership. This exceptional wine is produced exclusively in years deemed of outstanding quality, making it a vintage-only offering. The Chardonnay grapes are meticulously selected from the five most esteemed Grand Cru villages within the Côte des Blancs, a region famed for its chalky soils that impart a distinctive minerality. The wine's name and the seal on its bottle pay homage to Thibaud IV, the Count of Champagne, who is historically linked to the introduction of the Chardonnay grape to the region. Comtes de Champagne is distinguished by its 100% Chardonnay composition and its prolonged aging process in the historic Gallo-Roman chalk cellars of Reims, contributing to its complexity and finesse. This cuvée embodies Taittinger's commitment to elegance and quality, showcasing the unique terroir of the Côte des Blancs.

## Interesting facts

- Created in 1952, it honors Thibaud IV, Count of Champagne, who legend says brought Chardonnay to the region.
- The seal of Thibaud IV, Count of Champagne, adorns every bottle.
- Grapes are sourced from five specific Grand Cru villages in the Côte des Blancs.
- A small percentage (5%) is aged in new oak barrels for added complexity.

## Food pairing

The wine's high acidity cuts through the richness of creamy sauces and fatty seafood, while its complexity and subtle nutty notes complement delicate flavors. Its minerality acts as a palate cleanser, making each bite and sip a fresh experience.

## Wine making process

The creation of Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs begins with the meticulous selection of 100% Chardonnay grapes from five Grand Cru villages in the Côte des Blancs. Only the juice from the first pressing, known as the 'cuvée,' is used to ensure the highest quality. Alcoholic fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with a small fraction (5%) briefly aged in new oak barrels to impart subtle complexity. The wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation. A defining characteristic is its extensive aging period, typically up to 10 years, within the historic Gallo-Roman chalk cellars in Reims. This prolonged maturation on lees is fundamental to developing the wine's intricate character, fine mousse, and long-lasting freshness.