Krug vintage is crafted to express the unique character of a particular year, each with its own special kind of music
Krug vintage is crafted to express the unique character of a particular year, each with its own special kind of music
IN THE SAME WAY that no two melodies are alike, neither are two Krug Vintages. At a recent event in Hong Kong, guests were invited to savour the release of Krug 2002 – a composition with such an abundance of pure fruit that the House of Krug was moved to name it An Ode to Nature. When he founded the House of Krug in 1843 – having understood that the true essence of Champagne is pleasure itself – Joseph Krug’s dream was to offer the very best Champagne every year, regardless of annual climate variations.
He went beyond all known boundaries of creating Champagne, establishing a House where all Champagnes would have the same level of distinction. In 1848 he wrote in his notebook: “a good Champagne House should only create two Champagnes of the same quality.” He described the first of those Champagnes, what he called Champagne n°1, as the fullest expression of Champagne to be recreated every year.
The second, then called Champagne N°2, to be the expression of the circumstances of a specific year. Champagne n°1 later became Krug Grande Cuvée. Created every year, beyond the notion of vintage, Krug Grande Cuvée is like a complete orchestra playing together in harmony. Champagne n°2, now called Krug Vintage, maintains the same exemplary distinction, but “according to circumstances”. It is the music of a particular year, with its own unique melody, captured by Krug, and enhanced by a stay of more than 10 years in the cellars.
Following Joseph Krug’s vision, and drawing an unbroken line that stretches six generations of the Krug family, the year 2002 gave birth to two singular expressions of nature: Krug Grande Cuvée 158th edition, the annual Krug Grande Cuvée that was created from the harvest of 2002. And, as that year was of a particular character, the House also decided to create Krug 2002. “From the very first tastings, we saw in every parcel nature’s generosity,” Krug Cellar Master Eric Lebe says of the promise of the year.
“The wines announced themselves as round, rich, robust, dominated by fruit and particularly aromatic. As they have continued to develop, we have seen in this blend a remarkable finesse and finish, too. “It is almost as if each of the 2002 wines that we have chosen to compose Krug 2002 could be their own assemblage. The idea kept coming back to us that this was a hymn to fruit, an Ode to Nature. Candied and fresh citrus, tropical fruits, white and yellow fruits, fresh or jammy, they are all intensely present, forming a crescendo that’s both rich and delicate.”
Paying close attention to every vineyard’s character, respecting the individuality of each plot and its wine allowed Lebel to identify the music of the year. He brought it to life by creating a composition marked by assertive fruit in which the Pinot Noirs (40%) had a very balanced dialogue with the Chardonnays (39%). And, as always for Krug, Meunier (21%) makes an outstanding contribution.
“For the House of Krug, pleasure is always beyond any notion of perfection, or predictability, and it is only by tasting the Champagne that we decide to present it to the market,” says Lebel, explaining the House’s decision to hold Krug 2002 back to age an additional two years than Krug 2003, which was released in 2014.
“We don’t act according to anything but taste and taste alone. When we saw that the 2003, a Vintage oriented towards vivaciousness and freshness, had reached maturity more quickly, it was an easy decision to present it sooner.” Krug is also the last among all the Champagne Houses to introduce its 2002 Vintage, but again, “We listen only to the wine,” says Lebel.
“With its freshness, tenacity and citrus notes, Krug 2002 will pair beautifully with seafood. I can imagine it perfectly with a beautiful sole meunière, with firm-textured flesh, accompanied by a dash of lemon juice – that sort of subtle accord would honour the Champagne’s vivacity.” Duck breast, roasted butternut squash and desserts market by orange zest will bring out the Champagne’s generosity. Joseph Krug believed that Champagne is an experience of pleasure above all else.
The joy in savouring a masterfully crafted Champagne, like listening to a beautiful piece of music, allows one to travel down direct pathways to the emotions. Doing so together reinforces the power of each to move the soul. It is in this spirit and with this understanding that the House of Krug has developed a unique endeavour: Krug Music Pairings. By associating music with its Champagnes, the House continues its quest to enhance the tasting of Krug Champagnes while discovering new, unknown tasting dimensions.
This year, coinciding with the release of Krug 2002, the House is partnering with singer and Krug lover Gregory Porter. A baritone with a soaring reach, the New York-based Porter is best known as a jazz singer, though his music crosses into soul, funk and other genres. His most recent release, Liquid Spirit, his first on the seminal jazz label Blue Note, is an exemplar of both technical mastery and emotional generosity. “Balance and emotion are very important for me in music, and I can see that correlation in Krug Champagnes,” he says. “Upon tasting Krug Grande Cuvée and Krug 2002, two things happened: one in my brain and one in my heart.
Different notes came to my tongue, notes that were like colours, and emotions.” Champagne lovers in Asia and the world over can share in Porter’s journey by listening his playlist, as well as any of the other Krug Music Pairings, via the Krug App.
COAST PICNIC RUG
THE COAST LUXURY PICNIC RUG is the ultimate alfresco dining accessory and at a generous 280cm x 200cm you can fit the whole family and more.
This oversized picnic rug is ideal for all outdoor dining: concerts, yachts, and sports days. It comes complete with a duffle bag, making storing and carrying easy.
Hand-crafted in New Zealand from super-soft brushed wool in a classic houndstooth pattern, and backed with sturdy marine-grade Sunbrella brand fabric. The picnic rug is sure to withstand prolonged exposure to the elements.
PHWATR ALKALINE WATER FILTER
ACCESS TO HEALTH-PROMOTING alkaline drinking water is made easy with Phwatr, a specialised filter designed to fit in any Brita jug or water bottle. It uses natural bio-ceramic media to easily produce alkaline water to naturally help balance the body’s pH level.
It also ionizes water for a powerful antioxidant effect, reduces water cluster size for super hydration and restores beneficial minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium.
MĀZŬ SWIMWEAR
BLENDING TRADITION AND MODERNITY, as well as an East meets West aesthetic, Māzŭ Swimwear has launched a collection of swim shorts featuring three new patterns and varied colours.
The new collection features a Japanese-inspired wave print, traditional Chinese warship flag print and refreshing takes on the classic Star Ferry solid. The collection has also teamed up with the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society (HKDCS) to create a limited-edition run of shorts featuring Hong Kong’s native pink dolphins, with a percentage of the sales from the pink dolphin print shorts going to HKDCS.
SWI-TEC MASTLIFT
SWI-TEC MASTLIFT offers a safe and easy way to climb to the top of a boat’s mast to make necessary repairs. Without assistance from any other crew member, you can safely raise and lower yourself in total control while secured at all times.
A range of accessories is also offered to increase the versatility of the mastlift, as well protecting various components including a masthead harness and protective cover.
SHURHOLD BUFF MAGIC
SHURHOLD’S BUFF MAGIC is an easy, effective solution to polishing a boat. This re-conditioner, de-oxidizer and restorer is formulated to work on a wide range of surfaces. Buff Magic speeds up the process of polishing a boat and eliminates the need for multiple products.
It easily removes oxidation, gel coat staining, surface rust, tarnish, and even fine scratches from fibreglass, steel, aluminium, brass, bronze, copper, gold and other precious metals.
OCEAN SAFETY ELITE DRYSUIT
OCEAN SAFETY IS collaborating with Typhoon International and Andark Diving and Water Sports to produce the ultimate offshore/ocean-going drysuit.
The Ocean Safety Elite Drysuit is 100% dry, protecting the user from wind, weather and immersion in the water. It is designed as a constant-wear protective suit for increased protection during extreme conditions. A leading feature of the suit is the integrated oral tube offering buoyancy in the water, while increasing the suit’s thermal capabilities.
www.oceansafety.com
