Bruno Paillard: Vineyard, Wine Styles, 10 Best Bottles (2021)

Bruno Paillard: Vineyard, Wine Styles, 10 Best Bottles (2024)

by Anthony Zhang

Starting out as a Champagne broker in 1975, Bruno Paillard became a game-changer in the Champagne Industry.

Today, he owns a 32-hectare vineyard and a prestigious Champagne House where he crafts extraordinary vintage and non-vintage Champagne.

Let’s get to know Bruno Paillard, the spectacular vineyard, and the unique winemaking techniques used. Also find out great food pairing ideas and the top 10 Bruno Paillard wines to buy in 2024.

You’ll also discover an easy way to invest in fine wines.

A Quick Intro To The Bruno Paillard Champagne House

The Bruno Paillard Champagne House is located in Reims in the Champagne region. Maison Bruno Paillard produces both multi-vintage and vintage Champagnes.

The wines are made using the classic Champagne grape varieties - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.

What’s unique about them is that during winemaking, only the first pressings of grape juice are used and the wines undergo extended aging on the lees - which gives them their finesse and complex character.

Interestingly, it’s the first Champagne House that started displaying the disgorgement date on every bottle to indicate a final note of quality.

Bruno Paillard Champagnes are a favorite among wine lovers and wine critics like James Suckling. They’ve also got rave reviews in wine magazines like Wine Spectator, Decanter, and The Wine Advocate.

Let’s take a look at how Bruno Paillard established his Champagne House.

A Brief History About Bruno Paillard

Bruno Paillard was born in Reims, in 1953. Following in his family’s footsteps, he started working as a Champagne broker in 1975.

But, Bruno had a strong desire to create Champagnes that were different and decided to start his own Champagne House.

Let’s look at the steps he took to get to where he is today.

In 1981, he established his own winery and started producing Champagnes in a rented cellar using grapes from independent growers.
In 1983, Maison Bruno Paillard started displaying the disgorgement date on every Champagne bottle - inspiring other wineries such as Krug to follow suit.
In 1984, Bruno Paillard invented the first totally “above-ground” cellar. His Champagnes were later recognized by the English Press as some of the best wines in the region.
In 1990, he designed the structure for his winery together with architect Jacques Bléhaut. He later bought a 3-hectare vineyard in Oger, in 1994.

In 2007, Bruno’s daughter, Alice, joined him to continue the family’s winemaking journey. She started in the vineyards and cellars and now co-manages the Maison with her father.

The Spectacular Bruno Paillard Vineyard

Bruno Paillard wine: Le Mesnil 1900 in box.

Maison Bruno Paillard owns a 32-hectare vineyard that comprises the best crus of the Champagne region. 12 hectares of these vineyards have the Grand Cru classification.

The vineyard provides more than half the grapes required for production, and the remainder of the fruit is sourced from independent growers.

Bruno Paillard uses sustainable viticulture practices - no herbicides or pesticides are used and most of the vineyard’s plots are organic.

Next, take a look at some of the winemaking techniques used to make Bruno Paillard Champagne.

How Is Bruno Paillard Wine Made?

Bruno Paillard Wine: Champagne production process

To craft remarkable Champagne, Bruno Paillard deploys these winemaking techniques:

High-quality grapes are carefully selected and crushed to create the must (grape juice.)
The grape juice from the first pressing is divided between stainless tanks or oak barrels based on the varietal. Vinification occurs in these separate stainless tanks or oak barrels, followed by malolactic fermentation.
After many tastings, wines that will compose each cuvee of the Bruno Paillard Champagnes are selected.
Next, each bottle is sealed with a temporary cork and laid down in the cellar to undergo extended aging on the lees. This takes two and four times longer than the minimum required by the appellation.
Through the riddling process, wine bottles are turned at regular intervals and the yeast sediment settles in the neck of each bottle.
After about 10 days of riddling, the bottles are kept upside down and the sediment on the cork is disgorged (expelled) to obtain a clear wine.
Finally, the wine lost during disgorgement is replaced with Extra Brut Reserve wine.

Now, Bruno Paillard Champagnes come in various styles.

The Extraordinary Champagne Styles Of Bruno Paillard

Typically, the Bruno Paillard style is all about elegance and complexity.

Here are the different wine styles:

1. Premiere Cuvee

The Extra Brut Premiere Cuvee is the flagship wine embodying the classic Bruno Paillard style. It’s produced from more than 30 crus and its blend comprises 45% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, and 22% Pinot Meunier.

This wine is aged for three years on the lees (sur lie) and a further five months after disgorgement. The Premiere Cuvee Reserve is a blend of 25 vintage wines - this Extra Brut Reserve wine has a very low dosage of less than 6g/L.

2. Rose Premiere Cuvee

The multi-vintage Premiere Cuvee Rosé is made from Pinot Noir and traces of Chardonnay. It blends 25 vintage wines and comes in the white wine and red wine styles.

This wine is aged for three years on the lees and a further five months after disgorgement. It’s an Extra Brut Reserve wine with a low dosage of less than 6g/L.

3. Blanc De Blancs Cuvee

Bruno Paillard wine Blanc De Blancs Cuvee

The Blanc de Blancs Cuvee is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes sourced from the Côte des Blancs Grand Cru vineyard. It’s a blend of 25 vintage wines and an Extra Brut Reserve wine with a low dosage of 5g/L.

It’s aged for four years “sur lie” and a further 10 months after disgorgement.

4. Vintage Champagnes

The vintage Champagnes that showcase classic Bruno Paillard style are:

Millésimé 2006 Blanc De Blancs: This vintage Champagne is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes. It’s an Extra Brut Reserve wine with a low dosage of about 5g/L. It’s aged for more than nine years on the lees and a minimum of 12 months after disgorgement.
Millésimé 2009 Assemblage: This sparkling wine blends different grape varieties, diverse crus, and vintages. It’s aged for eight years on the lees and a further 12 months after disgorgement. This wine is an Extra Brut Reserve wine with a dosage of about 5g/L.

Now, what food can you pair with this wine?

Food Pairings With Bruno Paillard Wine

The Premiere Cuvee Champagne is an excellent aperitif but you can also pair it with cheese and poultry.

You can pair the Blanc de Blancs Cuvee with seared salmon, while the Rose Premiere Cuvee matches perfectly with sushi or red fruit salad.

The Millésimé 2006 Blanc de Blancs is another excellent aperitif, but this sparkling wine also pairs well with spicy food. The Millésimé 2009 Assemblage is a perfect match with shellfish.

Let’s take a look at the best Bruno Paillard Champagnes that you can add to your wine cellar!

10 Best Bruno Paillard Wines To Buy In 2024 (Including Tasting Notes, Pricing)

All these Champagnes are sought after by wine lovers and are found in the world’s finest restaurants and shops:

1. 1969 Bruno Paillard Assemblage Vintage, Champagne, France

This vintage wine is a blend of various grape varieties from diverse crus. It has a silky texture, an aroma of cherry, and hints of wild strawberry.

Price of the 1969 Bruno Paillard Assemblage Vintage, Champagne, France: $855

2. 2003 Bruno Paillard N.P.U Nec Plus Ultra Rose, Champagne, France

This yellow-golden vintage Champagne has an aroma of dried fruit and notes of wild strawberry, cherry, and brioche. It has chalky minerality and offers a long finish.

Price of the 2003 Bruno Paillard N.P.U Nec Plus Ultra Rose, Champagne, France: $542

3. 1995 Bruno Paillard N.P.U. Nec Plus Ultra, Champagne, France

The 1995 N.P.U. Champagne has notes of red fruit salad, citrus fruit, and dark fruits like blackberry. On the palate, this vintage wine offers a spicy orchard fruit flavor and a chewy finish.

Price of the 1995 Bruno Paillard N.P.U. Nec Plus Ultra, Champagne, France: $414

4. 1990 Bruno Paillard Le Mesnil Blanc De Blancs Grand Cru Brut Millesime, Champagne, France

This vintage Champagne has notes of redcurrant, brioche, morello cherry, honey, citrus fruit, and lemon confit. It has chalky minerality and a silky texture.

Price of the 1990 Bruno Paillard Le Mesnil Blanc De Blancs Grand Cru Brut Millesime, Champagne, France: $377

5. 1995 Bruno Paillard Blanc De Blancs Vintage, Champagne, France

This vintage wine has aromas of red fruit salad, citrus fruit, and dark fruits like dark cherry. It has an elegant structure and offers a long finish.

Price of the 1995 Bruno Paillard Blanc De Blancs Vintage, Champagne, France: $198

6. NV Bruno Paillard Grand Cru Blanc De Blancs, Champagne, France

This non-vintage (NV) Champagne is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes and has high acidity. It has strawberry and citrus fruit notes along with a chalky minerality. On the palate, it has a silky texture and offers a long finish.

Price of the NV Bruno Paillard Grand Cru Blanc De Blancs, Champagne, France: $72

7. NV Bruno Paillard Premiere Cuvee Brut Rose, Champagne, France

This NV Champagne has crisp acidity and aromas of lemon confit, redcurrant, and red fruit like morello cherry or wild strawberry. With age, this Champagne’s flavor tends towards dark fruits like dark cherry.

Price of the NV Bruno Paillard Premiere Cuvee Brut Rose, Champagne, France: $65

8. NV Bruno Paillard Cuvee 72 Brut, Champagne, France

This gold sparkling wine has chalky minerality and notes of citrus fruit and red fruit like strawberry or morello cherry. On the palate, this non-vintage Champagne offers a finish with a redcurrant jelly flavor.

Price of the NV Bruno Paillard Cuvee 72 Brut, Champagne, France: $63

9. NV Bruno Paillard Brut Nature Dosage Zero, Champagne, France

This white-golden NV Champagne has a white fruit aroma and lemon confit notes. It has chalky minerality, crisp acidity, and offers a long finish.

Price of the NV Bruno Paillard Brut Nature Dosage Zero, Champagne, France: $58

10. NV Bruno Paillard Premiere Cuvee, Champagne, France

The Brut Première Cuvée comprises the three grape varieties from the Champagne region - Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. It has chalky minerality and notes of citrus fruit and red fruit like strawberry.

Price of the NV Bruno Paillard Premiere Cuvee, Champagne, France: $53

Does Bruno Paillard Wine Age Well?

Bruno Paillard Wine Premiere Cuvee Champagne

A Bruno Paillard NV Champagne is meant to be consumed young. You can cellar it only for 2-3 years.

Meanwhile, you can age a vintage Bruno Paillard Champagne for 5-10 years.

Now, if you want to add some sparkle to your fine wine investment portfolio, then there are some brilliant options like Brut Champagne, Cristal Champagne, Billecart Salmon Champagne, and many others!

But, how do you find authentic, high-quality wines at reasonable prices?

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Here’s how.

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Sip A Bubbly Bruno Paillard Champagne

The effervescent Bruno Paillard Champagnes are perfect beverages for celebrating a special occasion. These wines are versatile and can pair perfectly with your favorite dishes.

But in case you’re considering investing in Champagnes, you should also check out fine wines like Brut Champagne, Cristal Champagne, and more.

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