At A Glance
- Field
- Detail
- House
- Ayala
- Category
- Champagne house
- Central grape
- Chardonnay
- Cellar method
- Micro vinification by cru in small stainless steel vats
- Cuvée
- Le Blanc de Blancs A/19
- Defining choice
- Brut Nature, a zero dosage Champagne
The Producer
Ayala's cellar is arranged around individual lots. It uses small stainless steel vats for micro vinification by cru, keeping each cru separate during fermentation. Micro vinification means wines from different crus can be handled in separate vessels before final blending. The house also maintains a reserve wine program and follows a minimalist dosage philosophy.
The house's Art Deco cellars date from 1912. The Bollinger Family acquired Ayala in 2005 to restore the historic house to prominence. Ayala is owned by Bollinger Group and managed independently. Hadrien Mouflard became director in 2012, and Julian Gout is cellarmaster.
Place
Champagne is a sparkling wine region where a second fermentation in bottle creates the bubbles and ageing on lees adds texture. Ayala's wines spend a minimum of three years on lees. Lees are the spent yeast cells left after fermentation; time on them can soften the mousse and add savoury breadth. Dosage, the small addition of sugar after disgorgement, sets the final sweetness. Ayala uses these cellar choices alongside cru selection and a Chardonnay focus.
Wines
Ayala's range includes Ayala Brut Majeur, Ayala Rosé, and Le Blanc de Blancs A/19. Ayala Brut Majeur is the brut expression. Ayala Rosé is the rosé expression. A/19 is a Blanc de Blancs, the term for a white sparkling wine made from white grape varieties. A/19 is 100% Chardonnay from six crus, aged for six years and finished with 5 g/L dosage.
Brut Nature is the house's zero dosage cuvée. A/19's palate is forthright and open, with blood orange and pastry notes, vivacity, beautiful bitter notes, and chalky minerality.
Final Word
Ayala uses cru by cru cellar work alongside Chardonnay, lees ageing and a minimalist dosage philosophy. Its range includes Brut Nature and Le Blanc de Blancs A/19, as well as brut and rosé cuvées.