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| Happy Indians Enjoy Champagne |
| By Rajiv Singhal |
| The Champagne House of Taittinger (founded in 1774 as Forest-Fourneaux) is family owned and operated. It was acquired in 1930 by Pierre Taittinger, a young cavalry officer who served the First World War, and was renamed. The founder’s grandson, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, bought back it back into the family in 2006 by out-bidding the then Indian liquor baron, Vijay Mallya. The “Grand Marque” was an early mover on the Indian market and established its distribution in the early 2000’s through the Thapar Group’s TT&G Trading (now Prestige Wines & Spirits). |
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Clovis Taittinger with Sumit Sehgal • Taittinger at The China Kitchen |
| It took Pierre-Emmanuel’s son, Clovis, who manages the house with his sister, Vitalie, more than a decade to visit India for the first time in 2016 – but he kept his promise of an annual visit. The tasting of the limited range available in Delhi (we are still missing Les Folies de la Marquetterie that I have encouraged Sumit to bring in) at The China Kitchen outdoors at Hyatt Regency Delhi – which was seamlessly managed by the F&B head Shaji Paul – was lovely in the vastly improved weather conditions. |
| Clovis reflected on his short time in India and said, "There is no cultural gap between Indian and France – specially about life. India is a country of joy where people seem happy. And that is the very basis of Champagne." |
| "You can appreciate good things – friendship, marriage, and so on – if you are happy. If you want to like (and love) champagne, you have to be happy! I wish to contribute modestly, with our lovely and tiny but really grand bubbles to make you in India even more happy, even more lovely, even more positive…" |
| With Sumit Sehgal and his team at Prestige, Clovis is keen to build Taittinger as one of the top champagne brands in India. He would like it to be the preferred brand among champagne lovers. A deal has just been inked with Jet Airways, and Taittinger will be the bubbles served on-board. |
| Clovis shared his impression of his wines. "Taittinger is a great wine – very precise, very pure, and above all, very sophisticated! Somewhat minimalist, very light, very fresh, very simple, very soft." |
| I take the liberty to share mine: |
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Taittinger Brut Réserve
The signature of the house. Traditional blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier with a slight chardonnay bias. A bright and clear yellow tone with very discreet bubbles. Aromas of peach play with floral notes and brioche. Delicate flavours on the palate with a hint of vanilla. Very fresh. Matured for 3-4 years on lees to be very balanced and very fresh. |
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Taittinger Prestige Rosé
The colour comes from the blend of 15% Pinot Noir still red. Intense pink that shows through the transparent bottle and a persistent mousse when poured in the glass. A very expressive nose of red fruits and berries. Full bodied and very lively on the palate. Another fresh stunner from the range. Full bodied. Strikes a great balance to be very easy drinking with a lingering finish. |
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Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2006
The prestige cuvée of the house, that is made only from the Cuvée of the finest in the Côte des Blancs and aged in the cellars of the 13th century Abbey of Saint-Nicaise in Reims for 8-10 years. 100% Chardonnay. Pale yellow with extremely fine bubbles. Very complex and opens up in the glass. First nose is fresh and citrusy and it leads to more mature and candied fruit. Very lively on the palate – Ripe grapefruits with interesting spiciness. Elegant and balanced – very pleasing. Stays forever… |
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| Rajiv Singhal was invited to this tasting by Prestige Wines & Spirits. |
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