Domaine Carneros by Taittinger

…The most famous Californian sparkling wine

Taittinger began prospecting in California in 1980 but it was not until 1987 that the famous Champagne house bought its first plots (81 ha).
She chose to settle there by the advice of its winemaker, the family undertook it to find a suitable soil for the production of high quality sparkling wines.
This region and these plots were chosen because they are located on a good soil for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. But also because they are never subject to exposures like high heat (quite common in California) or temperatures too cool (frequent night in northern California), and therefore it allows the vineyard be naturally protected.

The architecture may seem a bit surprising for the locality. The Domaine Carneros, which construction was completed in 1988, is an authentic reproduction of the Château de la Marquetterie whose original version is located in Champagne (France).

Why have they chosen to reproduce the Chateau de la Marquetterie?

For two reasons, the first is that currently it is the residence of the Taittinger family. The second is that this building was, in its first feature, an abbey for Benedictine monks. In the 17th century Brother Oudart, after cellar master of the Abbey, completed the invention of Dom Pérignon (the inventor of Champagne. Read his story here) introducing cork stoppers instead of corks wood and wax . He also invented the “liqueur de tirage“.

What is the “liqueur de tirage“?

It is a mixture of d-“still wine” (that is to say non-sparkling), sugar and yeast. The tirage liqueur is used for production of sparkling wine. Sugar and yeast will cause the “prize de mousse” that is to say, a second fermentation.

Which is the Leitmotiv of Domaine Carneros by Taittinger?

Well of course many flavors, complex but also, and especially fine bubbles associated with good acidity.

What differentiates a Champagne Taittinger (developed in France) of a Domaine Carneros by Taittinger‘s sparkling wine ?

Already and foremost a much lower quantity, intended only for the North American market. In terms of taste, according to Sean Donaghue, “the explosion of flavor in the mouth is more important for the production in California than for the production of Champagne. This is due to more sunlight. However, the minerality and acidity is much lower. ” I would venture to add that, yes, the production of Domaine Carneros is generally fruitier, however wines of Champagne production are thinner (sparkling wines in California are too, but not as much).
Also, as I am not a fan of comparisons between the two notations and other wines that do not have the same land or even identical assemblies, the comparison stops there.

An “eco-friendly vineyard“

This property is committed to limit its impact on the environment. In addition to practicing a culture such as “eco-friendly” (could be translated as “reasoned) it also has the largest network of solar panel in the world, owned a vineyard.

Some information:

Soil: clay, volcanic rock
350 acres, or about 142 hectares
Given the geography of these plots, the vineyards of Domaine Carneros never suffers from freezing
Only for the North American market
Wines: Domaine Carneros by Taittinger – Brut Rosé (58% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay) Domaine Carneros by Taittinger – Brut (60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay) Domaine Carneros by Taittinger – Le Rêve (99% Chardonnay, 1% Pinot Blanc) Domaine Carneros by Taittinger – Ultra Brut, Domaine Carneros by Taittinger – Pinot Noir

Side anecdote:

When the Taittinger family arrived in the Carneros region for the first time, there was not a single vine. Current vineyards were grazing and breeding sheeps. Now taking you in this region you will not want to see anything other than the vine …

Other information on the Domaine Carneros : The tour is very well orchestrated, very complete. We will explain all the steps of making a method champenoise sparkling.
Thanks to Sean Donaghue and his team for their hospitality.