Bruno Paillard had champagne in his blood. He was born in Reims in 1953 to a family that had either grown or brokered champagne since the 1700s. Bruno followed in the family footsteps and became a broker. He found that he wanted to do something different focusing on purity and started his own champagne house, Champagne Bruno Paillard, in 1981, which is the youngest prestige house to be created since World War II.
Bruno created a concept, “an assemblage,” that brought together diverse crus, grape varieties and vintages and every bottle is labeled with the date of its degorgement, which is unique. Today Champagne Bruno Paillard’s vineyards are located on 32 hectares in the best Crus of Champagne bringing together 100 plots with different terroir. Today, his daughter, Alice, is on track to eventually take over the business of the 400,000 bottle winery.
I received some fantastic samples with this blog. This is one that I look forward to annually and it has become part of my holiday tradition. This year I sampled the cuvée on a joyful, yet bittersweet moment the evening after my 14-year-old boarded a flight to go to Thailand with an international group that was tackling conflict resolution. Months ago, she had come to us asking to apply and said that she thought that the US had a bad reputation, and this was a way she could help make a difference. As a parent, how do you not say yes? My husband and I toasted to her journey. What better way to celebrate with a beautiful champagne that has brought people together for centuries made by a father and his daughter?
This is a NV blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, but it tastes much more expensive than it is. I tasted lime, almonds, toasted brioche, pear, peach, nectarine and a lovely minerality. It’s complex, elegant and a perfect addition to your table for any celebration.
