Champagne Bruno Paillard
Champagne house in Reims, Montagne de Reims.
- Village
- Reims
- Region
- Montagne de Reims
- Cuvées in the guide
- 15
Maison Bruno Paillard is an independent family business in Reims, founded in 1981 by Bruno Paillard (born 1953), who comes from a centuries-old family of wine merchants and winegrowers. Since 2007 the house has been run by his daughter Alice Paillard. The house is known for its independence, the introduction of the Réserve Perpétuelle (a solera system since 1985) for consistency, and the use of first pressing only (cœur de cuvée) for all its champagnes.
Vineyards and Terroir
The estate's own vineyards cover approximately 32 hectares (sources vary between 25-32 ha), spread over more than 70 plots in some 18 crus.
- Locations: Spread across the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs (including Oger), the Marne valley and Les Riceys.
- Quality: Approximately 12 hectares are classified as Grand Cru.
- Grape varieties: The plantings consist of approximately 45% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay and 22% Pinot Meunier (some sources cite 50/37/13% for the estate as a whole).
- Soils: The chalk-rich soils (craie bélemnite) provide the characteristic minerality and freshness.
Approach and Philosophy
The philosophy centres on purity, elegance and finesse, with a strong emphasis on quality over volume.
- Extra Brut: All champagnes are Extra Brut with a low dosage (sometimes even Dosage Zéro or 6 g/l for the rosé), which emphasises the pure expression of terroir.
- Disgorgement date: Bruno Paillard was the first house to state the disgorgement (dégorgement) date on every bottle, since 1983, ensuring that the wine does not continue to age on the yeast after corking.
- Harvest: The harvest is exclusively by hand and the grapes are taken straight to the press house to prevent damage.
- Reserves: The Réserve Perpétuelle (set up in 1985) is used to ensure the style and complexity of the non-vintage champagnes, supplemented by reserves in wooden barrels.
Champagnes and Production
The house produces approximately 500,000 bottles a year, most of which are exported to more than 30 countries. Production is largely aimed at the high-end segments and is sold exclusively through specialist wine merchants and top restaurants.
Some key products are:
- Première Cuvée Extra Brut: The house's calling card (70% of production), a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.
- Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru: Made from 100% Chardonnay from Grand Cru villages.
- Rosé Première Cuvée: Made from the first pressing, with maceration of Pinot Noir skins for colour.
- NPU (Nec Plus Ultra): The prestigious top cuvée, often a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with long ageing (up to 10-15 years).
- Dosage Zéro (D:Z): An extra dry champagne with no added sugar.
Address: Avenue de Champagne, 51100 Reims, France. Website: https://champagnebrunopaillard.com
Cuvées by Bruno Paillard
Importers
Bruno Paillard is imported by: De Larense Wijnkoperij.
Where it is sold
Shops and wholesalers carrying Bruno Paillard: De Larense Wijnkoperij.
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