New Release. Price £167.50. Introduction: Champagne Taittinger has unveiled the 14th Edition of its Taittinger Collection, presenting a limited edition bottle featuring an image of a leopard captured by Brazilian artist Sebastião Salgado. This is only the 14th edition of its Collection since 1983, with Brazilian photographer, Sebastião Salgado commissioned to produce a limited edition label for Taittinger’s Brut Millésimé 2008. Salgado is the first Brazilian and photographic artist to have been selected for the task, choosing to feature an image of a leopard captured in the Barab River Valley in Damaraland, Namibia, in 2005. The bottle has been designed in black with white writing in keeping with Salgado’s black and white photography. Sebastião Salgado – The artist Born on 8 February 1944 in Aimorés in Brazil, Sebastião Salgado grew up surrounded by nature on his parents’ farm. He left to study economics in Vitória, where he met his future wife, Lélia Wanick Salgado, who subsequently accompanied him in his work. There followed a period of travelling, first to Sao Paulo, then Paris and London, where Sebastião worked for the International Coffee Organization.   In 1973, at the age of 29, Sebastião decided to put his career as an economist on hold and devote himself to photography. Life seemed to have more meaning from behind the viewfinder. Patiently, he observed the Earth, and its inhabitants. His photographs reflect a tremendous tenderness. He does not judge. He simply presents what he sees.   His black and white images with baroque lighting awaken our conscience.   The work selected by Sebastião, a Leopard in the Barab River Valley in Damaraland, comes from his GENESIS, a tribute to the planet and life on Earth. Vintage 2008: Taittinger Brut Millésimé 2008 is blended from first press wines only and consists of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir grapes harvested mostly from the Grand Crus in Montagne de Reims and the borders of the Vallée de la Marne. The Champagne is made in limited quantities and only in exceptional vintages. Previous Taittinger Collections include :- Vasarely Vintage 1978, released 1983 Arman, Vintage 1981, released 1985 Masson, Vintage 1982, released 1987 Da Silva, Vintage 1983, released 1988 Lichtenstein, Vintage 1985, released 1990 Hartung, Vintage 1986, released 1992 Imai , Vintage 1988, released 1994 Corneille, Vintage 1990, released 1996 Matta, Vintage 1992, released 1998 Zao Wou Ki, Vintage 1998, released 2003 Rauschenberg, Vintage 2000, released 2007 Sow, Vintage 2002, released 2011 There is no 13th collection Salgado,Vintage 2008, released 2016 Background Information: Taittinger only makes a vintage champagne when the harvest has been of such outstanding quality. The wine is then only released after several years of ageing in the cellars, allowing the aromas to mature slowly and the length and complexity of the wine to develop.   The Taittinger Collection was the brainchild of Claude Taittinger, who in 1983 approached his first artist, Hungarian Victor Vasarely, with a view to commission him to make a distinctive look for a small number of 1978 vintage bottles.   The concept proved so popular that Taittinger has continued to handpick artists to commemorate their special vintages. Subsequent editions have featured the work of world famous artists such as the French surrealist André Masson and American pop artist Robert Rauschenberg. “The Taittinger Collection continues to be one of the most eagerly-awaited releases from the Taittinger house … They are eye-catching, striking pieces which appeal not only to the avid collector but those looking for an unusual and memorable gift.”