Upscale Living touted Champagne Ayala and Champagne Bollinger’s flagship non-vintage wines as perfect options to toast with during summer celebrations.
The piece offers background on both maisons before offering tasting notes on each. Ayala Brut Majeur is “delectable” and “one of the highlights of this champagne house. You get a blend of Pinot Noir (40%), Chardonnay (40%), and Pinot Meunier (20%) while the Pinot Meunier adds a touch of fruitiness and liveliness.” The Chardonnay-based Rosé Majeur is described as “a delight.” Continuing, it features “a small proportion of still Pinot Noir from the best crus of the Montagne de Reims.”
The writer offers the cheeky background as to how Bollinger Special Cuvée got its name before describing this iconic Champagne. “A combination of velvet, notes of pear, and fresh walnut with brioche and spicy aromas make for a rich and intriguing flavor. Bollinger’s Rosé benefits from a small proportion of still red wine, which becomes a crucial element in the rich taste.” The writer explains that due to the powerful quality of the still wine, Bollinger incorporates only half of what other Houses typically use. “Then you have red fruits and the perfectly ripe tannin which take over as the center stage. The fruit adds in flavor and strikes a nice balance between the fruit and acid.” Read the full story and further details HERE
Bollinger-Upscale-Living-6.24.21Related Wines
Champagne Ayala
Champagne Ayala Brut Majeur NV
Champagne, France
Brut Majeur is the epitome of a non-vintage brut from a great, historic House and is the finest ambassador for the House's freshness and elegance. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes, coupled with extended aging in Ayala's cellars and a low dosage, make this wine suitable for any occasion.
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.
Champagne Bollinger
Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvée NV
Champagne, France
From vineyard to bottling, Special Cuvée sees such an extraordinary level of care and attention, it is difficult to place within the non-vintage or, really, any Champagne category. It is a Champagne that stands apart. Within one bottle, all the complexity of flavour, texture and pleasure that Champagne can offer. Special Cuvée is truly a journey of devotion from Bollinger.
Champagne Bollinger
Champagne Bollinger Rosé NV
Champagne, France
In the same way that Special Cuvée stands apart from non-vintage Champagnes, Bollinger Rosé is an exception for Rosé Champagnes. What is more, it is a relative secret, as Bollinger did not release a non-vintage Rosé until 2008 and the quantity produced is quite limited. The wine begins as Special Cuvée and then Bollinger's specialty as the Pinot Noir producer in Champagne takes center stage, as the red fruits that join the conversation dance vibrantly, the finish has just a hint of perfectly repeat tannin, and the deep complexity of the wine shines through transparently.
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.
