Krug was founded in 1843 by German immigrant Johann-Joseph Krug, in the city of Reims.
Johann-Josef had previously worked at Champagne Jacquesson before founding Krug. The house
remained in the family for several generations, with continual father-to-son handovers until
1999 when it was bought by luxury holding company LVMH. Despite the take-over, the house is
still headed by Krug family member Olivier Krug.
Krug has 20 hectares of its own vineyards
in Aÿ in addition to the small Clos du Mesnil and Clos d’Ambonnay vineyards. The remainder
of the fruit is obtained from local growers on long term contracts. (read more)
Viticulture and Vinification
All grapes are hand-picked. The first fermentation is uniquely carried out in small, 205 litre oak barrels
and the individual parcels are kept separately until blending occurs. The oak barrels employed are old and therefore
do not impart any oak flavours. They are used instead for their porous nature and the micro-oxygenation effect which
naturally takes place when they are used. This gentle but continual, exposure to oxygen is one factor which contributes
to Krug’s extraordinary ability to age. Krug does not go through malolactic fermentation and the reserve wines are
stored in stainless steel tanks until bottling.
The assemblage, or blending, is one of the most important parts of the production process. The assemblage creates
the specific house style and sets Krug apart from its competitors. Exclusive of the entirely Chardonnay blanc de blancs,
the Krug blends are usually Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier dominant.
Throughout Louis Roederer I’s management, large cellars were built in the heart of the Champagne region on the
Boulevard Lundy in Reims. These are still in use today and a new cellar has been recently built by Rouzaud to
accommodate up to 9 million additional bottles.
Krug Grand Cuvée NV is a Pinot-dominated blend from at least 6 to 10 vintages from 20 to 25 Grand and Premier Cru
vineyards. This usually means over 50 wines are used for the final blend. The Grand Cuvée blend also contains up to
35-50% reserve wines, higher than the norm in Champagne. After final assemblage, the blend is then aged for 7 years or
more on the lees.
Krug Rosé NV has been made since 1983 and is made by adding still red Pinot Noir to a Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier
dominant Champagne blend. The wine is then aged in the bottle for another 5 years.
Vintage Krug is comprised entirely of the harvest from a single outstanding year. The aim is to capture the essence
of that particular vintage while maintaining Krug’s house style. The 1996 is notably exceptional.
Krug Collection Vintage is comprised of the last bottles available from a past notable vintage. This late-released
Champagne has been stored in Krug’s cellars for an extended period and is only released when deemed ready to drink.
Krug Clos du Mesnil is a 100% Chardonnay blanc de blancs that is produced from a single vineyard – the 1.85 ha Clos
du Mesnil. The wine was first released in 1979 after Krug purchased and replanted the property in 1971.
Krug Clos d’Ambonnay is the rarest of all Krug wines and is a 100% Pinot Noir blanc de noirs from a single vineyard,
Clos d’Ambonnay (0.685 hectares). Only 3000 bottles are made and this is Krug’s most expensive wine in their range.
Varieties
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Krug NV and Krug Vintage are blends made of predominantly Pinot Noir, followed by lesser percentages of Pinot
Meunier and Chardonnay. Clos du Mesnil is a 100% Chardonnay blanc de blancs and Clos d’Ambonnay is a 100% Pinot Noir blanc de noirs.
Wines produced:
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Krug Grand Cuvée NV
- Krug Rosé
- Vintage Krug
- Krug Collection Vintage
- Krug Clos du Mesnil
- Krug Clos d’Ambonnay