If you are looking for the first, and probably most famous, triumvirate, that came in 60 BCE, centered around Roman aristocrat Gaius Julius. If you’re after the most sparkling triumvirate, however, you’ll need to fast forward to 2001. That’s when we released our I. Triumvirat Grande Cuvée, a strategic triad that blends three fine sparkling wine varieties into a classic grand cuvée.
Carole Lefèvre – Our French winemaker
Frenchwoman Carole Lefèvre joined our team in 1997, ostensibly for an internship. Six months then became six years, during which we further refined our sekt base wines together with Carole. Volker said to her, with tremendous trust, “You have unbelievable talent in producing the varieties that I’ve been cultivating. You have free reign.” And so Carole worked with us to introduce differentiated whole cluster pressing and reduction of the first gently pressed batch of harvested grapes (the so-called ‘Tête du Cuvée’) to 50 percent: the exact percentage with high acidity and the highest maturation potential, contrasted with the last pressing—the taille—which tends to include the stems and pips, infusing a certain bitterness into the must. For the harvest, we cull our grapes even more selectively, to keep sugar and by extension alcohol levels as low as possible without neglecting ripeness.
The concept of our Triumvirat was born in 2001
Around that same time the idea arose to make a cuvée from the three grape varieties for which Champagne is best known: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and (Pinot) Meunier. It didn’t hurt that back in the early nineties we had planted precisely those three varieties in our key site “Dalsheimer Bürgel.” Originally called our “Trio” internally, a customer mentioned the historical origins of the so-called “triumvirate.” We were fascinated with the story of the three-headed Roman leadership, which in some ways reflected the story of our three varieties as well.
A brief historical excursus: the Roman triumvirate
At several different points in Roman history, political exigence led to the formation of three-person leadership teams—a special committee implemented by the Roman authorities to conclude specific political or religious tasks.
The first, and probably most popular, triumvirate was formed in 60 BCE, comprised of Gaius Iulius Caesar, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, and Marcus Licinius Crassus. To better implement their political goals, the three men met for private discussions. In this vein, Caesar was elected Consul in 59 BCE, and after one year in office was named governor of the province of Gaul. Crassus became a member of the agrarian law commission, while Pompeius successfully saw agrarian legislation through to law, ensuring support for veterans. This triumvirate set the tone for politics in the Roman republic: not unlike the three strong, mutually complementary grape varieties Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Meunier, which comprise the majority of the world’s finest sparkling wines.
In 2020, the circle once again closed in the Flörsheim-Dalsheim “triumvirate.” Katharina and Marie-Luise made the decision to work together to continue the leadership of the maison de sekt into the second generation. Future decisions would be made as a trio, together with Volker.
Photo: Oliver Rüther
Each of the three varieties brings its own unique properties to the mix
Each of the three grape varieties, partially raised in used oak, complements the aromas, structure, and acids of the other grapes, producing a complex yet harmonious sekt. On the palate, it presents powerful and enduring notes of nut butter and stone fruit. The 100 months of lees contact lend this sekt its lovely brioche tones, rounded out by a fine creaminess.
| Pinot Noir. For power and body. | Chardonnay. For longevity. | Meunier. For the fruity notes. |
| This variety is ideal for cool chalky soils, and thus grows outstandingly in the calcareous soils of the “Dalsheimer Bürgel.” The character of Pinot Noir is shaped by red fruits. Pinor Noir provides the blend with power and body. It is ultimately responsible for the cuvée’s depth of flavor. | Chardonnay base wines have a fine aroma with floral notes, hints of citrus fruits, and subtle echoes of minerality. Chardonnay sekts tend to mature more slowly, offering ideal conditions for the maturation of sparkling wines. | Thanks to its late bud break, Pinot Meunier is less vulnerable to frost and grows especially well in clayey soils. It contributes a fruity/spicy aromatic profile. Its aroma and flavor tend to dark fruits such as blackberry, cassis, and black cherry. It develops relatively quickly and rounds out the assemblage. |
Over 100 months on the lees
Grand sekts need time to develop their character. Some as many as 100 months! They need tremendous patience, dedication, and constant attention. Yet long before they achieve actual ripeness and are ready to be enjoyed, they already provide us with something wonderful: anticipation!
This blend is, like almost no other sekt, a symbol of our passion, uncompromising nature, and our artistry. No Triumvirat is ever like its predecessors. They are intentionally blended to reflect the character and qualitative highlights of each vintage. The constants are always the three classic varieties of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Meunier.
The current vintage of our Triumvirate Grande Cuvée is available starting each year in September. We recommend reserving your bottles in advance, as this blend is always limited in production. We are happy to receive your queries by email at info@raumland.de or by phone at +49 6243-908070.
Tasting Notes
2012 XII. Triumvirat Grande Cuvée Press notes from recent years
“Subtle barrel influence. Not to mention restrained yet nuanced aromas: sesame and red beet, hay, toast, candied orange peel. And even with its concentration and character on the palate, it achieves the highest level of elegance in a juicy, vibrant, and intensely mineral structure. Finishes round and whole.”
2012 XII. Triumvirat Grande Cuvée Brut [Falstaff Sparkling Special 2021]
“Caramel meets lime curd, a bit of ginger, beautiful freshness, subtle biscuit notes with vanilla spice, elegant, especially with trout, either as a baked filet or tartar.”
2011 XI. Triumvirat Grande Cuvée Brut [Gault & Millau 2020]
“The deep, powerful nose belies the wine’s incredible nuance and focus. Elegant brioche and spice notes, a touch of white fruit and flowers, chalky minerality. On the palate, deep, intense yet subtly complex. Elegant bead. Stone fruit and juicy citrus. Salty minerality strengthens the acidic backbone. Concentration meets delicate power and finesse.”
2011 XI. Triumvirat Grande Cuvée Brut [Falstaff Sparkling Special 2020]
“A phenomenal and deep sparkling wine that is defined by its dancing lightness. Impossible to imagine anything better—only different.”
2010 X. Triumvirat Grande Cuvée Brut [Vinum 2020]
“This Triumvirat is once again fascinatingly fresh and clarion, now from the 2010 vintage, a sparkling wine of enchanting reliability that is only at the beginning of its beautiful future.”
2010 X. Triumvirat Grande Cuvée Brut [Eichelmann 2020]
“Triumvirat is also amazing […]: We can’t think of any Champagne in this price range capable of rivaling this Raumland classic.”
2010 X. Triumvirat Grande Cuvée Brut [Gault Millau 2020]
“[…] MonRose and the now 9th Triumvirat edition are masterpieces.”
2009 IX. Triumvirat Grande Cuvée Brut [Gault Millau 2017]
“[…] Truiumvirat leans in on […] even more finesse and raciness […] delicate mousse, gentle creaminess, and a weightless transparency.”
2008 VIII. Triumvirat Grande Cuvée Brut [Gault Millau 2016]