Krug
History and Background
Krug is an iconic Champagne house, founded in 1843 by Joseph Krug. Renowned for its unwavering commitment to producing only luxury Champagnes, Krug distinguishes itself by crafting a new edition of their Grand Cuvée each year, blending a unique mix of wines from multiple years to achieve consistent excellence regardless of seasonal variations. This commitment to quality has been a guiding principle through six generations of the Krug family. While Olivier Krug is a prominent figure and ambassador of the brand, the company's current CEO and President is Margareth Henriquez, under whose leadership Krug continues its tradition of excellence in Champagne production.
Vineyards and Terroir
Krug is distinct among Champagne producers for not relying solely on estate vineyards but instead sourcing grapes from a wide selection of plots to achieve the complexity desired in their cuvées. While Krug does have access to grapes from renowned Grand Cru villages in the Champagne region, it is important to note that they also source grapes from Premier Cru and other selected plots beyond the Grand Cru classifications. This enhances the spectrum of nuances and flavors found in their prestigious champagnes.
Krug's champagnes benefit particularly from the regional chalky soils, consistent with the general terroir of the Champagne area. These chalky soils are pivotal, contributing significantly to the minerality, elegance, and distinctive freshness in the wines. The abundant limestone and chalk ensure excellent drainage while retaining moisture during drier periods, fostering stress on the vines that often leads to the production of grapes of superior quality and concentrated flavors.
Wine Style and Production
Krug is known for its exceptional Champagnes, characterized by profound complexity, depth, and significant aging capacity. A hallmark of Krug's winemaking is its masterful blending, involving a vast array of base wines from multiple vintages. This technique is exemplified in their flagship offering, Krug Grande Cuvée, which integrates around 120 wines from over ten different years, resulting in a Champagne of extraordinary consistency and quality. Unlike many champagne houses, Krug uniquely ferments all their wines in seasoned small oak barrels. This unique approach, while avoiding excessive woodiness, adds an extra layer of textural richness and intricate nuances to the Champagnes, setting Krug apart in the world of luxury sparkling wines.
Reputation
Krug's Champagnes, notably the Grande Cuvée and the carefully cellar-aged Krug Collection, receive consistent praise from critics and connoisseurs. The house is unique in its commitment to producing exclusively prestige cuvées. Each bottle is a result of a painstaking blending process that involves a significant use of oak barrel fermentation, enhancing the Champagne's complexity and aging potential. Furthermore, Krug's approach emphasizes the distinct expression of each vintage as well as the individual character of each vineyard plot, reinforcing its status as one of the most esteemed producers in Champagne.
Final Thoughts
Krug is a Champagne icon. Known for its unique combination of tradition and innovation, along with an unyielding dedication to quality, the house produces Champagnes that are not only deeply reflective of their terroir but are also counted among the world's most esteemed sparkling wines. For connoisseurs and enthusiasts seeking the ultimate Champagne experience, Krug delivers an unmatched depth, complexity, and elegance.