Champagne Paul Bara

Champagne house in Bouzy, Montagne de Reims.

Village: Bouzy (Grand Cru)
Region: Montagne de Reims
Type of house: RM · Récoltant Manipulant
Founded: 1833
Cuvées in the guide: 18

History:‌ The champagne house Paul Bara is a sixth-generation family business in Bouzy (Montagne de Reims), founded in 1833 when Auguste François Bara arrived as a carpenter. In the 1950s Paul Bara began marketing champagne under his own name, and since 2021 the house has been run by Chantale Bara (President) and Stéphanie Ducloux (Director), with Grégory Baert as chef-de-cave since 2023.

Vineyards: The estate has 11 hectares of vineyard, divided into 33 plots, all of which hold Grand Cru status within Bouzy. 9.5 hectares of the vineyards are planted with Pinot Noir (for structure and complexity) and 1.5 hectares with Chardonnay (mainly on lower slopes). The family holds HVE and VDC certification and uses no chemical pesticides.

Approach: Paul Bara works as a récoltant-manipulant (own grapes, own vinification). In the vinification of the champagnes the malolactic fermentation is blocked to preserve freshness and acidity, in contrast to the Bouzy Rouge (still red wine) where it does take place. The champagnes undergo extended ageing on the lees (sometimes more than 5 years) and are dosed with a low dosage.

Champagnes: The range includes the Brut Réserve (Pinot Noir-dominant), the Grand Rosé de Bouzy, and the prestige cuvées Annonciade (100% Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs, named after the founding ancestor) and Comtesse Marie de France. In addition, the house produces the renowned still red wine Bouzy Rouge, made from old Pinot Noir vines.

Cuvées by Paul Bara

Paul Bara Annonciade

Blanc de Noirs · Brut · 100% Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir cuvée from the Bouzy Grand Cru range.

Paul Bara Brut Réserve

Blend · Brut · 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay

Signature non-vintage cuvée showing the Bouzy terroir, Pinot Noir dominant, with notes of mirabelle, honey and candied fruit.

Paul Bara Brut Réserve Grand Cru

Brut

Paul Bara Comtesse Marie de France

Blanc de Noirs · 100% Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir cuvée from the Bouzy Grand Cru range.

Paul Bara Comtesse Marie de France 2014

2014

Paul Bara Comtesse Marie de France 2015

Extra Brut · 2015

Paul Bara Extra Brut

Blend · Extra Brut · 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay

Characterful champagne whose depth and vinosity are reinforced by a pared-down dosage.

Paul Bara Grand Cru Bouzy Extra Brut

Extra Brut

Paul Bara Grand Cru Bouzy Réserve Brut

Brut

Paul Bara Grand Millésime

Blend · Brut · 90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay

Vintage cuvée made only in exceptional harvest years.

Paul Bara Grand Rosé

Rosé · Brut · 70% Pinot Noir, 18% Chardonnay, 12% Bouzy Rouge

Rich, savoury rosé with red fruit and candied cherry notes.

Paul Bara Grand Rosé de Bouzy Brut

Rosé · Brut

Paul Bara L'Audacieuse

Blanc de Blancs · 100% Chardonnay

Chardonnay cuvée from the Bouzy Grand Cru range.

Paul Bara L'Audacieuse Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs

Blanc de Blancs · 2016

Paul Bara L'Audacieuse Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 2016

Blanc de Blancs · 2016

Paul Bara Millésime Comtesse Marie de France Grand Cru

2014

Paul Bara Spécial Club

Blend · 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay

Club cuvée made only in exceptional years after two rounds of selection tastings.

Paul Bara Spécial Club Rosé

Rosé · 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 5% Bouzy Rouge

Rosé version of the Spécial Club cuvée.

Importers

Paul Bara is imported by: Bubbels van Amar, Icarius Wijnen, Wijnkoperij Van den Hoogen.

Where it is sold

Shops and wholesalers carrying Paul Bara: Bubbels van Amar, Icarius Wijnen, Wijnkoperij Van den Hoogen.

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