Comtes de Champagne: Buy young and save for later
Taittinger's Blanc de Blancs cuvée, Comtes de Champagne, has long since gained the attention of many collectors. It is a relative newcomer to the wine world, appearing much later than such founders of prestigious cuvées as Louis Roederer Cristal or Dom Pérignon.
The first vintage of Comtes de Champagne was in 1952, at the same time as wines such as Bollinger RD and Laurent Perrier Grand Siècle. While each of these wines has found its fans, Comtes de Champagne is the only Blanc de Blancs among them.
With each new vintage, this Champagne confirms its outstanding value to collectors. Offered at a reasonable initial price, Comtes de Champagne quickly gains in value on the secondary market. For example, the price of a 2008 Comtes de Champagne shows the following trend:
(Worldwide average retail price per 750 ml, tax-free USD $ from May 2014 to April 2024)
(green line - Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2008; grey line - Blanc de Blancs from Champagne 2008)
Comtes de Champagne: Details of the cuvée
Basically, Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is made exclusively from grapes from the five grand cru sites of the Côte de Blancs: Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, Avize, and Le Mesnil.
This cuvée is the result of a collaboration between Claude Taittinger and his American importer Rudy Kopf, who imported wines and spirits to the United States.
Typically, Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is aged for 10 years or longer on yeast lees before being released with a dosage, usually between 9 and 10 g/litre.
The history of Taittinger: complexities and changes
Taittinger represents a fusion of modernity and history. The origins of Taittinger go back to the company founded by Jacques Fourneaux in 1734. This company was the third champagne producer after Ruinart, founded in 1729, and Chanoine Frères, which began operations in 1730.
In the 19th century, the company became one of the leading champagne producers. In 1932, Pierre Taittinger renamed the house Champagne Taittinger.
In 2004, Pierre Taittinger's 45 heirs voted to sell their shares for £1.8 billion to Starwood, which was more interested in managing the hotels, which were also in the Champagne house's assets, than in producing champagne.
Fortunately, Pierre's grandson Pierre-Emmanuel was able to organize a successful buyout of the champagne house with the help of Crédit Agricole and trade union support. Today, he runs the house with his son Clovis and daughter Vitalie, who manage the family wine business.
Invest in young vintages
Often, after private tastings organized by Lambier Wines under the direction of Anastasia Lambutskaya, buyers conclude that young Comtes de Champagne wines are among the best among the prestigious cuvées of Champagne, as they show very high quality, are well appreciated on the secondary market and are offered at affordable prices.