Champagne Ayala

Champagne house in Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne.

Village

Aÿ (Grand Cru)

Region

Vallée de la Marne

Founded

1860

Cuvées in the guide

7

Champagne Ayala is a historic champagne house based in Aÿ (Grand Cru), founded in 1860 by the Colombian diplomat Edmond de Ayala and owned by the Bollinger family since 2005. The house is known for its pioneering role in low dosage and the pure, elegant style of its champagnes.

History

• Founded in 1860 through the dowry of the Château de Mareuil-sur-Aÿ.
• Became purveyor to the British court (King Edward VII) by reducing the sugar content from 66 g to 22 g per litre.
• The house survived the First World War, the crisis of 1929 and the takeover by Guinness (1936) and René Chayoux (1937).
• Under Bollinger's leadership since 2005, with current management by Hadrien Mouflard and chef de cave Julian Gout (since 2018).

Vineyards and Terroir

• Located in the heart of the Grands Crus of Aÿ, known for chalky soils.
• Grapes come mainly from Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards.
• Blend: 45% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay (from the Côte des Blancs) and 25% Pinot Meunier.
• Only the first pressing (cuvée) is used for maximum quality.

Approach

• Low dosage: A pioneer in champagnes with little or no added sugar at disgorgement.
• Longer ageing: Wines age on average three years (the standard is a minimum of 15 months) and prestige cuvées up to eight years.
• Full control: From hand harvest to vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, everything takes place on site.
• Unique approach: Offers many cuvées in both a classic (lightly dosed) and a Nature (non-dosed) version.

Main Champagnes

• Ayala Brut Majeur: The classic house style, fresh and elegant.
• Ayala Brut Nature: Particularly dry, with a maximum of 3 g of sugar per litre.
• Ayala Le Blanc de Blancs: Exclusively Chardonnay, known for minerality and freshness.
• Cuvée Perle d’Ayala: The prestige cuvée, a vintage blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, aged in oak barrels and in bottle.
• Ayala Rosé Majeur: A harmonious blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Cuvées by Ayala

Importers

Ayala is imported by: Gall & Gall, Perfecte Wijn B.V..

Where it is sold

Shops and wholesalers carrying Ayala: Bovino, Cavissima, Flesjewijn.com, Gall & Gall, Nobel Wijnkoperij, Perfecte Wijn B.V., Vinify, Wijnhandel en Slijterij Brouwer, Wijnkring.

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