Champagne Ayala
Champagne, France
Ayala is one of the most exciting stories in Champagne today, and the definition of a boutique Champagne producer. This historic house has been rivatilized by a small, young and dynamic team that handles every step of production, from grape reception to labeling, in their jewel of a facility. Ayala crafts Chardonnay-focused wines that deliver immense precision, elegance and pleasure.
The House has been long-known as the “sleeping beauty of Champagne” because of its prominence in the late 19th and first half of the 20th century, and its beautifully preserved Art Deco cellars dating to 1912. Ayala was one of the 18 founding members of the “Grandes Marques de Champagne” syndicate in 1882 and went through a golden age in the 1920s and 1930s, rising to prominence as one of the most exported Maisons in Champagne — the drink of choice in bohemian Paris and London. Ayala’s re-ascent after a long quiet period began when it was acquired by the Bollinger family in 2005. Today, it is important to note that both estates are run independently, with equally independent philosophies.
Last but not least, Ayala is led by the immensely talented Cellarmaster Julian Gout. This young gentleman was born and raised in Champagne, and comes from a family of winegrowers. He joined Ayala in 2018 as deputy cellar master, in charge of oenology and vineyards. He is environmentally conscious and continues Ayala’s ambition to grow grapes organically. He will ensure the continuity of Ayala’s style: Purity!
Learn more here.
Wines
Brut Majeur
Champagne, France
Brut Majeur is the epitome of a non-vintage brut from a great, historic House and is the finest ambassador for the House’s freshness and elegance. A blend of the finest Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes, coupled with extended ageing in Ayala's cellars and a low dosage make this wine suitable for any occasion.
N° 14 Rosé
Champagne, France
N° 14 is the third opus from the "COLLECTION AYALA," a set of cuvees produced in limited quantities, unveiled only as they approach their peak level of drinkability. This ephemeral cuvee is 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir — including Grand Cru Aÿ red wine.
No° 7
Champagne, France
Champagne Ayala’s No.7 is the second opus from the “The Ayala Collection”, a series of unique cuvée created to express the specificity of a vintage and a selection of exceptional crus through the lens of this boutique Maison. Produced in limited quantities and released only upon indication that the elements in this wine are integrated and evolved to a point of perfect harmony.
Brut Nature
Champagne, France
Brut Nature, cellar-aged for almost 4 years, demonstrates to perfection the high quality of grapes used by the House to craft its wines, and its remarkable expertise in vinification. Being non-dosage, its purity and precision make it an ideal partner for seafood, in particular raw fish and shellfish, or oysters.
Rosé Majeur
Champagne, France
Rosé Majeur is the perfect embodiment of the originality and finesse of the House’s wines. Made predominantly from Chardonnay it is crafted with the addition of a small proportion of Pinot Noir from the best crus of the Montagne de Reims. A low dosage enables it to express the House style, both feminine and generous, with great elegance.
Le Blanc de Blancs
Champagne, France
Ayala’s Blanc de Blancs is 100% Chardonnay, produced in small quantities in exceptional years only and fully expresses the superb caliber of great Chardonnay from the best crus of the Côte des Blancs. After 6 years of aging in Ayala’s cellars, remarkable minerality and low dosage make this an outstanding wine that can accompany a variety of flavorful dishes, including poultry and fish, or be served on its own to celebrate a special occasion.
Reviews
Champagne Ayala Brut Majeur NV (92 JS)
- “Peaches, dried raspberries, croissants, toasted hazelnuts, lemon curd and some honey on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied and round with bright acidity and fine bubbles. Flavorful, with ripe and honeyed character. Relatively dry. Chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier.”
Chamapagne Ayala Rosé Majeur NV (93 JS)
- "A cleverly arranged nose with saturated rose-like perfume layered into ripe expressive peaches, strawberries and wild dark cherries. The palate holds that darker cherry edge with real style and balance. Terrific."
Champagne Ayala Brut Nature NV (91 WE)
- “Ayala specializes in dry Champagnes, and this is the house’s extreme example. It has just the right amount of bottle age to soften its intense acidity and develop some toastiness and fruit. It can be enjoyed now, but a few more months in bottle would make it even better.”
Champagne Ayala Perle d’Ayala 2006 (93 JS)
- “A Chardonnay dominant cuvee (80 percent) that has rested on the lees for more than eight years.\ It delivers attractive, nutty complexity with an array of peach, lemon and lime aromas. The palate has attractive, pastry-like flavors with lime curd and a fleshy, smooth finish.”
Champagne Ayala Le Blanc de Blancs 2013 (94 WA)
- "Disgorged in November 2018, Ayala's 2013 Brut Blanc de Blancs offers up an elegant bouquet of lemon oil, English walnuts, crisp yellow apples, linden blossom and hints of praline to come with bottle age. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with racy acids, a delicate mousse and a fine-boned, elegant profile. Concluding with a long and nicely defined finish, this vibrant and intense wine is one of the finest wines Ayala has released for some time."
Champagne Ayala No° 7 2007 (94 WA)
- "A new cuvée for Ayala that was disgorged in July 2019, the 2007 Brut No. 7 derives from fruit sourced in seven grands crus—Chouilly, Oger, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize, Aÿ and Verzy—and saw tirage under cork. Offering up aromas of lemon oil, dried white flowers, walnuts and fresh bread, it's full-bodied, vinous and incisive, with a pillowy mousse, racy acids and a long, mineral finish."
More on Champagne Ayala
Holiday Gift Guide 2018: The Best Non-Vintage Champagnes
December 7, 2018 - Wine writer Courtney Schiessl highlighted her favorite non-vintage champagnes in her latest story for Forbes, titled "Holiday Gift Guide 2018: The Best Non-Vintage Champagnes." In the piece, she speaks about…
People
Hadrien Mouflard
At the helm of Champagne Ayala is Hadrien Mouflard, who happens to be the youngest General Manager in all of Champagne.
Mouflard joined Ayala in 2012, with a goal to return the brand to its “golden age” when it was one of the best-known houses in the region.
When Bollinger bought the House in 2005 it was on the decline, selling about 400,000 bottles a year. In the last 10+ years, and under Mouflard's watch, he has helped it grow the House into one of the most exciting stories in Champagne today.
Critical to the growth of the House is its talent. Mouflard takes great pride in the dynamic, young team of 18 nimble people he's assembled to bring his vision for the House to life - embracing innovation, modern technology and excellence in winemaking.
Prior to his role at Ayala, Mouflard worked at Champagne Bollinger as Administrator.
Julian Gout
Ayala is led by the immensely talented Cellarmaster Julian Gout. This young gentleman was born and raised in Champagne, and comes from a family of winegrowers. He joined Ayala in 2018 as deputy cellar master, in charge of oenology and vineyards. He is environmentally conscious and continues Ayala’s ambition to grow grapes organically. He will ensure the continuity of Ayala’s style: Purity!
Trade Materials
Champagne Ayala Perle d’Ayala 2006 Tech Sheet
Spec Sheet | PDF
Ayala is one of the most exciting stories in Champagne today, and the definition of a boutique Champagne producer. This historic house has been rivatilized by a small, young and…
Champagne Ayala Le Blanc de Blancs 2013 Tech Sheet
Spec Sheet | PDF
Ayala is one of the most exciting stories in Champagne today, and the definition of a boutique Champagne producer. This historic house has been rivatilized by a small, young and…
Champagne Ayala No° 7 2007 Tech Sheet
Spec Sheet | PDF
Ayala is one of the most exciting stories in Champagne today, and the definition of a boutique Champagne producer. This historic house has been rivatilized by a small, young and…
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