In 1834 Joseph joined the champagne house of Jacquesson et Fils at Châlons-sur-Marne after working as a trader and commercial traveller in that region of Europe. This major champagne company was founded in 1798 by Claude Jacquesson and established its headquarters near the Marne�Rhine Canal. The world renowned cellars were considered as one of the wonders of the world and this reputation was enhanced by a visit from Napoleon in 1810 when he awarded the structure a gold medal for the beauty and splendour of the cellars which included ten kilometres of passages wide enough to accommodate horse-drawn wagons. Ever since that time, the Jacquesson label has borne the imperial monogram and a facsimile of Napoleon's profile.
Champagne came into its own in the early 1800s and its success was ensured when the Emperor Napoleon abdicated and Reims was occupied by the Russian Army. Champagne, for all intents a new drink, was available to quench the soldiers' thirst. The resultant increase in sales was overwhelming as the world discovered champagne!
On joining the company, Joseph Krug worked closely with the grandson of the founder of the enterprise, Adolphe Jacquesson, and through him was introduced to Ann Jaunay. Jacquesson had married her younger sister, Louisa, in 1830. Within three months, Adolphe's father, Memmie, had died leaving the company to him. Krug benefited from his friendship and was soon a partner. The 1830s proved a period of financial difficulty for the company and Joseph Krug thought that the quality of the product and the production techniques left something to be desired. This disagreement led to Krug finally resolving to branch out on his own in late 1842.
When he left the employment of Jacquesson et Fils, Joseph Krug was almost forty-two years old, with limited capital and experience in the champagne trade. His ambition to launch his own champagne house took him to Reims. This choice proved to be the major influence in the establishment of a great champagne house as Châlons had only become a wine town because of the local vineyards. In time these proved to be poorly located and the vines were vulnerable to frost and the town looked to other enterprises while nearby Reims was destined to become the champagne capital of the world.
Unfortunately, although he had been talking of leaving for some time Joseph's break could have been more considerate. He chose to advise Adolphe while he was receiving medical treatment in Paris. Both Jaunay sisters and their children were also in Paris at the time and to receive the advice by letter came as somewhat of a shock.

Continued...