Origin and History
Champagne Bruno Paillard has its headquarters in Reims in the Champagne region of France. Bruno Paillard founded the house in January 1981, after having worked as a champagne broker since 1975. The family tradition as a broker and winemaker in Bouzy and Verzenay dates back to 1704. The Perpetual Reserve was created in 1985; in 1994, Paillard began acquiring his own vineyards.
Vineyards and Farming
The company’s own vineyards cover 25 hectares, 89 parcels and 19 crus in the Montagne de Reims, at the start of the Marne Valley, in the Côte des Blancs and in Les Riceys. Among these are six Grand-Cru and five Premier-Cru municipalities. The predominantly calcareous soils are planted with around 50 per cent Pinot Noir, 37 per cent Chardonnay and 13 per cent Pinot Meunier; the company’s own holdings cover approximately half of the grapes required. The vineyards are biologically certified. Measures include the avoidance of herbicides and pesticides, tillage, partial swarding, as well as parcel-specific soil analyses and adjustments.
Vinification and Style
Each cru is vinified separately in tank or in wooden barrels. The stylistic approach is based on the combination of crus, grape varieties and vintages and focuses on freshness, low dosage and preserving the chalk-driven character of the Champagne. Reserve wines make up around 25 to 50 per cent of the non-vintage cuvées, depending on the vintage. The bottles mature for longer than the statutory minimum; after disgorgement, the wines typically rest for five to 18 months. The disgorgement date is stated on every bottle, as of 1983.
Selected Cuvées
The Première Cuvée Extra-Brut is made from the first pressing of around 45 per cent Pinot Noir, 33 per cent Chardonnay and 22 per cent Pinot Meunier. It contains reserve wines going back to the year 1985, matures on the lees for three years and for at least six months after disgorgement. The Rosé Première Cuvée is based mainly on Pinot Noir with Chardonnay and receives an Extra-Brut dosage. The Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is produced exclusively from Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. The vintage cuvée Blanc de Blancs 2013 comes from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger. N.P.U. is produced only in selected vintages; cuvée 2008 consists of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Grand-Cru sites.
