Blancs de Noirs is a firm favourite for champagne lovers. Maison Bruno Paillard launches its first in 40 years.

Bruno Paillard champagnes have been on retaurant wines lists for at least 40 years in the UK. Great with food and only listed in the most select retail, it is the choice of the knowledgeable sommelier.

Interesting to see that the house, appreciated mainly for its lean Extra-Brut wines have decided to launch a multi vintage cuvée, Champagne Bruno Paillard Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru. Especially when you consider that Maison last made a vintage Blanc de Noirs back in 1981, the year it was founded.

The Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru NV is crafted from first pressing Pinot Noir from four Grands Crus vineyards: Verzenay, Mailly, Verzy and Bouzy. The first three vineyards are mainly north-facing which brings elegance to the wine, retaining a linear quality which is distinctly a Bruno Paillard style. However, the Pinot Noir brings depth to the blend and the fruit from Bouzy, making up about 21% of the blend gives breadth and fruit.

Fabulous with food

Romain Audrerie, wines buyer at Ladbroke Hall, London says, “Chef Emanuele Pollini has put together a fantastic menu that promotes the best artisanal products for our restaurant. To match this high level of quality food we offer the rich and intense, new Blanc de Noirs from Bruno Paillard; a wine which is elegant, powerful and gastronomic.”

The house is keen to point out that, because this is a new project for the Maison, the perpetual reserve is still young and as a result for the first release the base wine is drawn from the 2018, 2015 and 2016 vintages.   Like all the Maison Bruno Paillard Champagnes (other than the Zero Dosage), it is an Extra-Brut, with a dosage of 3g/l.