Andrew Chalk of The Chalk Report wrote about his re-introduction to Champagne Ayala and Brut Majeur NV.
Chalk notes that while Ayala is “owned by James Bond’s favorite Champagne house, Champagne Bollinger,” its House style “is lighter, arguably more copacetic with the celebration events that one associates Champagne with.”
Another point of distinction for the boutique maison he mentions is that it is led by one of the only female cellar masters in the region – “the dynamic Chef de Cave Caroline Latrive.” As the ambassador of the House style, Latrive “produces Chardonnay-focused wines that deliver immediate pleasure, freshness and elegance.”
The main takeaway for Chalk? Ayala is still somewhat of a hidden gem, but he expects that to change soon. Read the full story HERE
Related Wines
Champagne Ayala
Champagne Ayala Rosé Majeur NV
Champagne, France
Rosé Majeur is the perfect embodiment of the originality and finesse of the House's wines. Made predominantly from Chardonnay, it is crafted with the addition of a small proportion of still Pinot Noir from the best crus of the Montagne de Reims. A low dosage enables it to express the House style, both feminine and generous, with great elegance.
Related Producers
Champagne Ayala
Champagne, France
Ayala is one of the most exciting stories in Champagne today, almost the definition of a boutique Champagne producer. Independently owned, a small, young and dynamic team handles every step of production from grape reception to labeling in their jewel of a facility with incredible precision, crafting Chardonnay-focused wines that deliver immense pleasure, freshness, and elegance.
Champagne Bollinger
Champagne, France
Bollinger is one of the rare Grande Marques that’s still family owned. Known for its rich, elegant and polished style of Champagne, their outstanding wines are the result of rigorous attention to detail and incredibly labor-intensive practices that few houses are willing to undertake. Underscoring its excellence, Bollinger has remained British secret agent James Bond's Champagne of choice since 1973.
