# Krug Vintage Brut (2013)

- **Producer:** Maison Krug
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** sparkling
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
- **Region:** Champagne, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €400
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** lemon, grapefruit, orange, lime, apple, pear, ginger, brioche, butter, toast, bread, honey, almond, hazelnut, mushroom

## About this wine

Maison Krug, founded in Reims in 1843 by Joseph Krug, is one of Champagne's most prestigious houses, celebrated for its uncompromising pursuit of quality and individuality. The 2013 vintage, nicknamed 'Exalted Citrus' by the Krug Tasting Committee, represents a singular expression of a cool, late-harvest year. Uniquely, Krug chose to bypass releasing a 2012 vintage—despite its legendary status—to reserve those base wines for their multi-vintage Grande Cuvée, making the 2013 release highly anticipated. Sourced from premier and grand cru plots across the Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, and Vallée de la Marne, this vintage captures the essence of a dramatic growing season that culminated in a sunny, late-autumn harvest.

## Interesting facts

- Krug bypassed releasing a 2012 vintage, reserving those base wines to protect the quality of their multi-vintage Grande Cuvée.
- The 2013 vintage is nicknamed 'Exalted Citrus' by the Krug Tasting Committee due to its vibrant, multi-dimensional freshness.
- Primary fermentation occurs entirely in neutral, 20-year-old Argonne oak barrels to encourage gentle micro-oxygenation.

## Food pairing

The high acidity and intense mineral drive of this vintage cut through rich, creamy textures like sea urchin and aged cheeses, while its precise citrus profile beautifully complements fresh seafood and ginger. The subtle complexity from oak fermentation bridges the gap to earthy elements like truffles.

## Wine making process

Following Krug's strict 'one plot, one wine' philosophy, each parcel is vinified separately. Primary fermentation takes place entirely in neutral, seasoned Argonne oak barrels (average age of 20 years), which facilitates gentle micro-oxygenation and builds textural complexity without imparting oaky flavors. Malolactic fermentation is not artificially induced, allowing the natural character of the vintage to shine. After blending, the wine underwent an extensive aging period of 11 to 12 years on its lees in Krug's historic underground chalk cellars in Reims. It was disgorged in winter 2023–2024 with a low dosage of 5 g/L, preserving its precise, chiseled structure.