Taittinger Brut La Francaise

Taittinger Brut La Francaise is a non-vintage Champagne blending Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier at 12% ABV in a 750ml bottle. Distinguished by a remarkably high Chardonnay proportion of 40% — unusual among Grande Marque non-vintage cuvées — it earned 92 points from both Wine Enthusiast and James Suckling, along with 95 points from Tasting Panel.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12%  |  Origin: Champagne, France  |  Non-Vintage Brut  |  Producer: Taittinger

Production & Heritage

Taittinger traces its roots to 1734, making it one of the few remaining family-owned Grande Marque Champagne houses. La Francaise is produced using the traditional Méthode Champenoise with a blend of 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and 25% Pinot Meunier — a Chardonnay-forward composition that gives the wine its hallmark elegance and finesse. The cuvée ages on its lees for nearly four years, more than doubling the legally required minimum of 15 months for non-vintage Champagne, allowing deeper complexity and aromatic maturity to develop before disgorgement.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with confit citrus and fresh peach before layering in spring blossoms, bee pollen, and vanilla. A subtle undercurrent of freshly baked brioche and pastry emerges as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is sleek and mouthwatering, led by poached quince and ripe orchard apple. At mid-palate, preserved lemon and honey intertwine with a mineral thread that recalls oyster shell. The wine is medium to full-bodied, enveloping and fleshy yet kept taut by bright, precise acidity.

Finish: The finish carries notable length, tapering with ginger biscuit, white pepper, and a clean saline edge. A lingering minerality keeps the palate refreshed and invites another sip.

How to Drink La Francaise

La Francaise drinks beautifully on its own as an apéritif, served well chilled at around 8–10°C. Its bright acidity and depth also make it a versatile base for classic Champagne cocktails. A French 75 benefits from the wine's citrus character and elegant mousse. A Champagne Cocktail (with a sugar cube and Angostura bitters) plays well against the brioche and honey notes. A Kir Royale made with crème de cassis highlights the wine's orchard fruit and floral aromatics without overwhelming its finesse.

Best For

• Hosting a holiday dinner or New Year's Eve celebration
• Gifting someone who appreciates classic French Champagne
• Toasting a milestone — engagement, promotion, or anniversary
• Pairing with a multi-course seafood dinner

Frequently Asked Questions

What does La Francaise taste like? La Francaise delivers poached quince, ripe apple, preserved lemon, and honey over a mineral backbone, with a brioche and ginger biscuit finish driven by nearly four years of lees aging.

How does La Francaise compare to Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial? Both are widely available Grande Marque non-vintage Champagnes, but La Francaise uses a significantly higher proportion of Chardonnay (40% versus Moët's Pinot Noir-dominant blend), resulting in a lighter, more elegant profile. Moët Brut Impérial tends toward riper, rounder fruit with a bolder body, while Taittinger leans into finesse, minerality, and floral character.

Is La Francaise good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its balanced acidity, complex aromatics, and extended lees aging make it an outstanding apéritif Champagne that rewards unhurried, neat drinking.

Where is La Francaise made? La Francaise is produced by Taittinger in Reims, one of the principal cities of the Champagne appellation in northeastern France. The house sources grapes from across the region, including Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards.

What foods pair well with La Francaise? Raw oysters and shellfish complement the wine's saline minerality. Sushi and sashimi align with its bright acidity and clean finish. Soft-ripened cheeses like Brie de Meaux echo the creamy brioche notes. Smoked salmon works against the citrus and white pepper character. Light poultry dishes with herb-butter sauces match the wine's medium to full body without overwhelming it.

What sizes does La Francaise come in? La Francaise is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, and Taittinger also produces it in 375ml half-bottles, 1.5L magnums, and select larger formats.

Is La Francaise worth the price? La Francaise positions as a premium non-vintage Champagne that sits at or near the top of its peer group in quality, particularly given its extended lees aging and Chardonnay-led blend. With scores of 92 points from Wine Enthusiast and James Suckling and 95 from Tasting Panel, it delivers strong critical validation for its price tier.

Why La Francaise?

What separates La Francaise from many competitors in the crowded non-vintage Champagne field is discipline: nearly four years on lees — more than double the legal requirement — and a 40% Chardonnay composition that gives the wine a distinctly refined, mineral-driven personality. This is not a fruit-forward crowd-pleaser; it is a structured, elegant Champagne built on restraint and precision. Critical scores ranging from 90 to 95 points across five major publications confirm its consistency vintage after vintage. For drinkers who value finesse over power in their Champagne, Taittinger's flagship non-vintage remains one of the most reliable choices in the category.