Krug Grande Cuvée ( 172 & 173 Editions )

TASTING NOTES FROM THE CURATOR

Each year, Krug recreates Joseph Krug’s vision anew — a Champagne that transcends vintage and climate to express the fullness of Champagne itself. The 172nd and 173rd Éditions of Krug Grande Cuvée stand as two distinct chapters of the same symphony: both deeply Krug, yet unmistakably marked by the character of their base years.

Krug Grande Cuvée 172ème Édition was composed around the 2016 harvest, a year of contrasts — early rains followed by a long, dry summer. The result is a blend of 146 wines from 11 different years (the oldest from 1998), radiating warmth and generosity. On the nose, it opens with roasted hazelnut, brioche, and honeyed citrus, then unfolds into almond blossom and marzipan. The palate feels like golden afternoon light — broad, harmonious, with soft acidity and a creamy finish touched by nougat and candied lemon. It is a Krug of balance and ease, contemplative and confident.

Krug Grande Cuvée 173ème Édition, on the other hand, was crafted around the 2017 harvest, a cooler, more linear year that demanded meticulous selection. Comprising a blend of 183 wines from 12 different years (the oldest from 2007), it displays greater tension and verticality. The aromas are sharper and more crystalline — white flowers, green apple, quince, and chalk — followed by layers of fresh almond, ginger, and subtle smoke. On the palate, it’s luminous and focused, the minerality running like a fine thread through flavors of citrus peel and honeycomb. If the 172nd was the velvet sonata, the 173rd is the fugue — leaner, more architectural, yet no less profound.

Together, they form a dialogue of nature and time:

• 172ème Édition — opulent resonance.
• 173ème Édition — precise revelation.

PREPARATION AND PAIRINGS

The timeless generosity of Krug Grande Cuvée makes it a partner to both simplicity and grandeur.

• 172ème Édition: perfect with aged Parmesan, Comté, or delicate foie gras. Its warmth complements lobster thermidor, truffle risotto, and even tarte tatin with clotted cream.
• 173ème Édition: thrives beside fresh oysters, grilled prawns, or Japanese sashimi — dishes that echo its minerality and finesse. Try it also with Moroccan spices or spiced carrot soup, where its energy lifts the aromatic complexity.

Both reward a few minutes in the glass; as they open, they reveal the full orchestra of their composition — each note distinct, yet in perfect harmony.

A NEW CHAMPAGNE

Since 1843, Joseph Krug’s ambition has been unbroken: to craft the most complete Champagne, every single year, no matter the weather. His method — isolating each plot, recording its voice, preserving reserve wines like chapters of memory — laid the foundation for an ever-evolving masterpiece.

Each Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée is not a mere iteration but a portrait of a year interpreted through eternity. The 172ème Édition sings of generosity and sunlight; the 173ème, of clarity and line. Both are woven from over a century of savoir-faire, bottled proof that excellence is not repetition, but continuous creation.

In every glass of Krug, time becomes music — sometimes in major, sometimes in minor, but always, unmistakably, Krug.

Taste Profile

Technical Sheet

Storage Instructions

Fine sparkling wine must be handled with care. For short-term storage (a few days to a month), you can keep your bottle upright—but away from bright or artificial light. For long-term storage, especially for vintage cuvées, you must store the bottles on their side in a wine rack or cellar to keep the cork from drying out. The ideal temperature for storage is between 7 to 10°C. Once opened, a bottle will be good for 1 to 3 days standing upright in the refrigerator.