Bruno Paillard : Blanc de Blancs Grand cru

The finesse and elegance of a fresh, mineral Blanc de Blancs Champagne

The estate

Founded in Reims in 1981, Bruno Paillard is one of the youngest Champagne houses. With an uncompromising selection of terroirs, exclusive use of first press juices, blending from a vast collection of reserve wines, and aging periods twice as long as required by the appellation’s specifications, the Bruno Paillard range reflects a constant pursuit of excellence and the desire to create a “very personal style.”

The vineyard

The Bruno Paillard House carefully maintains an exceptional vineyard, patiently built up and now spanning 32 hectares across 15 crus, 12 of which are classified as “Grands Crus.” The vineyard brings together the outstanding terroirs of Oger, Le Mesnil sur Oger, Cumières, Verzenay, as well as the exceptional Cru des Riceys located in the south of Champagne.

The wine

Once nicknamed the “lace of Champagne,” Bruno Paillard’s Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru reveals the quintessence of Chardonnay from the renowned “Côte des Blancs.” With very low dosage (5g/l), it preserves all the purity of the grape variety. As with all Bruno Paillard champagnes, the disgorgement date is shown on the back label. The wine is rested in the cellar for a minimum of 6 months after disgorgement.

Winemaking

The Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Bruno Paillard undergoes a special winemaking process, once used in Champagne. At the time of bottling prior to the second fermentation, the addition of sugar and yeast is lower than usual. This results in a gentler effervescence, with an average pressure of 4.5 kg compared to 5 to 6 for a standard Champagne. This winemaking choice preserves all the finesse and elegance of the Chardonnay.

Blend

This Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is made exclusively from Chardonnay sourced from the Grands Crus of the Côte des Blancs.

Characteristics and tasting tips for Bruno Paillard’s Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru

Tasting

Appearance
A very pale, brilliant color with green highlights. Exceptionally fine, the bead of bubbles is less pronounced than in other cuvées from the house due to lower pressure.

Nose
Perfectly expressing the character of Chardonnay from the finest terroirs, the aromatic bouquet opens with citrus notes reminiscent of lime and grapefruit. These are followed by nuances of white flowers, almonds, and toasted bread.

Palate
On the palate, the lively attack showcases all the complexity of the Champagne. Flavors of citrus and white-fleshed fruit shape the mouthfeel. Combining roundness, freshness, and finesse, the development on the palate highlights all the minerality of the Côte des Blancs terroir, leaving a chalky sensation that stretches into a long, fresh finish.

Food and wine pairings

This Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Bruno Paillard can be enjoyed as an aperitif. It will also pair well with fish dishes or a meal with balanced, subtly flavored courses.

Serving

To best appreciate this Champagne of great finesse, it is recommended to serve it well-chilled in an ice bucket.