A private tour of Maison Taittinger in Reims

Touring Maison Taittinger, A Familiar Experience

Even with prestigious neighbours of the size of Ruinart and Pommery, the Maison de Champagne Taittinger stands out. It’s not only the awe-inspiring architecture or their impressive “crayeres” - chalky underground cellars. It’s a je ne se quoi that I could only define as family hospitality — Taittinger is the largest family-owned Maison in Champagne.

I gladly accepted an invitation to take a private tour through Taittinger’s cellars to learn about Maison’s history and taste their famous wines. Saying I was impressed would be an understatement. Everything, from the sincerity of the people to the century-old history embedded in every rock and every bottle, and the fabulously bubbly wine, was grander than I expected. Here’s what I learned, and why you should visit Taittinger.

The Tour, Travelling Through Time

Enthusiastic Champagne-loving Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, his lovely daughter Vitalie and his son Clovis run Taittinger. Family-owned is not a term you often hear in Champagne, as the most prominent powerhouses are now international enterprises. You can feel the warmth and hospitality the moment you set foot in the Maison, and you understand the family’s passion the second you gaze at the dim-lit underground cellars.

Built by the Gallo-Romans in the 4th century, deep 18 meters underground and only accessible by a massive spiral staircase, you’ll find Maison’s limestone cellars. Here’s where the magic happens — where Taittinger’s bottles rest, sometimes for decades, maturing and gaining complexity.

Our private guide Christine took us on a one-hour adventure through the labyrinthine cellars feeding our imaginations with stories of the Benedictine Monks, brave World War II soldiers, and the legend of Thibaud IV. The 13th-century Comte, crusader and poet, whose figure now embellishes every label of Comtes de Champagne, Taittinger’s most exclusive cuvee.

After the eye-opening, time-travelling experience, we went back up to the surface to meet the estate’s Marketing Director. We were then treated with exclusive wine tasting at a gorgeous room with views to what were once the gardens of the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise.