Pale gold with vivacious bubbles and a full-bodied aroma, each glass of Krug Grande Cuvée 170ème Édition delicately holds the promise of bliss. Since the founding of the House of Krug, each year has seen a new iteration of the Krug Grande Cuvée—carefully prepared to offer the champagne in its most generous form. Now, in its 170th edition, the newest expression of the champagne is the elegant result of over 20 years of careful craftsmanship.
The creation of the Krug Grande Cuvée is much like the composition of a symphony, in which Cellar Master Julie Cavil plays the role of a brilliant, discerning conductor. She carefully auditions the wines from 400 plots and deftly calls upon flavours that form a beautiful harmony when put together, resulting in a grand performance in the shape of a majestic Krug champagne bottle.
Boasting a floral, fruity aroma with hints of marzipan and gingerbread, the latest edition Krug of Grande Cuvée brings forth grilled notes and flavours of almond paste, quince, lemon, limoncello and dried fruit. Lending itself to a spectrum of culinary combinations, the champagne is best enjoyed as an aperitif with Jabugo ham and mature comté, or served alongside oysters, grilled shrimps, or Indian and Moroccan cuisine. For a post-meal libation, it also pairs well with desserts such as carrot cake, tarte tatin and cheesecake.
Behind the 170th edition of the Krug Grande Cuvée is a diverse blend of 195 wines from 12 different years—the youngest from the year 2014 and the oldest dating back to 1998—bringing the breadth and roundness so vital and recognisable in each bottle. Central to the brand’s artistry is their belief in individuality, where the harvest from each plot is turned into a separate wine with its own distinct flavours before any blending decisions are made.
Born in small oak barrels, the wines go through a controlled first fermentation that increases their intensity and character, a process which later also leads to a champagne with significantly higher ageing potential. It is only after this that the orchestration of the blending process begins.
“The creation of the Krug Grande Cuvée is much like the composition of a symphony”
Given the delicate craftsmanship and composition involved in the creation of each bottle of Krug, it is no surprise, then, that the brand has long had a strong connection to music. Understanding the influence of sound on taste perception, the champagne house has taken wine pairings to the next level with ‘Krug x Music’, a one-of-a-kind programme where they invite artistes to translate their perception of the new Krug Grande Cuvée into music each year.
For this iteration of Krug, it is multi-talented composer, pioneer of 3D music, and keen Krug-lover Ozark Henry that they have invited to compose and curate ‘Krug x Music’, through a symphonic masterpiece accompanied by visual art. Alluding to the complexity of the 170th edition, the composition conveys a strong rising crescendo, a feast of highlights and a grand finale filled with auditory fireworks.
It is also this deep connection with music that makes the brand’s partnership with renowned audio technology company Devialet so intuitive. Born out of the longstanding collaboration this year is an exclusive Krug and Devialet Limited Edition Case, within which you’ll find a bottle of Krug Grande Cuvée 170ème Édition alongside a pair of limited-edition bespoke Devialet ‘Gemini’ Earbuds. The isothermal case, inspired by the iconic carrier for Devialet’s iconic Phantom speaker, also contains a QR code that gives users access to the unique Krug Studio experience, allowing champagne lovers to enjoy ‘Krug x Music’ wherever they may be.
For the gourmands amongst Krug lovers, two restaurants helmed by the champagne house’s ambassades—Zén by Chef Tristin Farmer and Hashida by Chef Kenjiro “Hatch” Hashida—are offering the sensory musical experience from 19 to 25 September, and 29 September to 7 October respectively. Unlocking the exclusive opportunity is an easy process. Simply order a bottle of Krug Grande Cuvée 170ème Édition at the restaurant, and you’ll be offered the chance to bask in the immersive ‘Krug x Music’ through the special edition Devialet ‘Gemini’ Earbuds.
With a glass of Krug Grande Cuvée 170ème Édition in hand and Ozark Henry’s grand masterpiece playing, look forward to being immersed in a journey that will elevate the latest edition of the effervescent champagne to exquisite new heights.
Find out more about Krug x Music here. Indulge in a symphony of flavours with the the Krug Grande Cuvée 170ème Édition and the limited edition Krug | Devialet Limited Edition Case Krug and Devialet Case available for purchase here.
