Rare & Collectable - Krug

Born in Germany in 1800, Johan-Josef Krug (Joseph), arrived in Paris in 1834. ‘Joseph’ went to work for the Jacquesson Champagne House and soon made partner. In 1841 he married the sister-in-law of Adolphe Jacquesson, Emma Anne Jaunay. He left the firm and moved his family to Reims in October, 1842. Seeking to establish his own Champagne house, for more than a year he worked with Hippolyte de Vivés to obtain an equal share in de Vivés’ wine interest and thus established the House of Krug et Cie. Joseph kept meticulous notes that he passed on to his son, Paul. He was completely convinced that great champagne came from good terroir. He also built a stockpile of reserve wines, each from separate plots of land with their own unique character. The original focus was to create only two champagnes: a non-vintage/multi-vintage prestige cuvee and in exceptional years, a vintage prestige cuvee.

The legacy was passed directly from Paul on to Joseph Krug II, then to Paul Krug II, then to brothers, Henri and Rémi Krug. To advance land purchases and facilitate other improvements in the early 1970s, the Krug family sold a large interest in the firm to Rémy-Cointreau, producers of Rémy Martin Cognac, with management remaining under the Krug umbrella. In 1971, the fifth generation brothers Henri and Rémi Krug recognized that the land they purchased in Mesnil-sur-Oger included a walled vineyard plot of about 4.5 acres that possessed truly exceptional qualities and terroir that imparts a unique character to Chardonnay grapes. After that, Krug included in their range the single plot, single varietal, single vintage Krug Clos du Mesnil. Also in the 1970s, in keeping with the market trends, the brothers decided to begin experimenting with rose’ and in 1983 the first Krug rose’ was born. After the distinction of Chardonnay from Clos du Mesnil was realized, sixth generation Oliver Krug joined ranks with Henri and Rémi and the search was on to find a plot that could glorify Pinot Noir in the same way. In 1991 they identified a plot just over 1.6 acres in the village of Ambonnay. The plot was purchased in 1994 and the first vintage of Krug Clos d’Ambonnay (1995), was made and released in 2007.The House of Krug carried on its tradition of excellence for 6 generations, producing only prestige cuvées.

In 1999, the house became part of the LVMH Group (Moët Hennessy • Louis Vuitton). LVMH director, Brazilian born Margareth Henriquez was appointed CEO in 2009 with Oliver Krug taking an ambassador role. Brother Henri was still active in the company until he passed away in 2013. Rémi Krug is still involved in the assemblage at Krug.