Bruno Paillard Champagne

Bruno Paillard Champagne: A visionary in the heart of Champagne

Historical background

Bruno Paillard gründete 1981 in Reims, dem Herzen der Champagne, das nach ihm benannte Champagne house. Bruno Paillard was 27 years old at the time and was already the fourth generation of a family that had been in the champagne business since 1704. He had previously worked as a wine broker and dreamed of creating his own brand of champagne. To realise his dream, he sold his old Jaguar and used the money as start-up capital for his own small business. This was the first new trading house to be founded in Champagne for over 100 years.

Die ersten Flaschen rüttelte Paillard in einem gemieteten Schuppen. Dank seiner hohen Qualitätsstandards wurden seine Champagne bald vom englischen Markt entdeckt und gefeiert. Dieser Erfolg ermöglichte es ihm, 1990 das heutige Betriebsgebäude in der renommierten Avenue de Champagne in Reims zu eröffnen.

Philosophy and production methods

Bruno Paillard Champagne is known for its visionary approach and uncompromising dedication to quality. One of the most important innovations he introduced was the use of barriques for the ageing of his Grand Cru base wines. This gives each wine an individual profile depending on its location, soil and origin. Paillard combines purity, minerality, finesse and quality to create an unmistakable character of origin and a unique house style.

Another feature of Bruno Paillard Champagne production is the exclusive use of the first pressing, the "Première Cuvée". The dosage consists of its own reserve wines, which contributes to the characteristic dryness of its "Brut" champagnes.

Eine weitere Innovation, die das Haus Bruno Paillard einführte, ist die Angabe des Degorgierdatums auf jeder Flasche. Paillard erklärt: „Das Degorgieren ist die zweite Geburt eines Champagners. Von diesem Moment an beginnt sein natürlicher Alterungsprozess. Seine Aromen entwickeln sich von Früchten über Blüten zu Gewürzen; seine Farbe wird zunehmend dunkler, sein Geschmack vielschichtiger. Deshalb ist es für den Kenner wichtig, den Zeitpunkt des Degorgierens zu kennen.“

Vineyards and sustainability

The Bruno Paillard champagne house has 25 hectares of its own vineyards, which covers around a third of its total grape requirements. This is an exception in Champagne, as many houses source the majority of their grapes from contract growers. Bruno Paillard's own vineyards are cultivated using integrated farming methods and some hectares are already certified organic. The conversion of the entire production to organic cultivation is being planned.

The most famous champagne: N.P.U. - Nec Plus Ultra

Bruno Paillard's best-known champagne is the N.P.U. - Nec Plus Ultra. This cuvée, whose name means "No longer to be surpassed", represents the pinnacle of the House's quality and craftsmanship. The N.P.U. is only produced in exceptional years and is made from a careful selection of the best grapes from the Grand Cru vineyards. It is aged in small oak barrels and matures for at least ten years before being disgorged. The result is a complex, elegant and exceptionally long-lived champagne that epitomises Bruno Paillard's quest for perfection.

Seat and current developments

The headquarters of Bruno Paillard Champagne is located on the famous Avenue de Champagne in Reims. This prestigious location emphasises the importance and influence of the house in the world of champagne. Despite its relative youth compared to other Champagne houses, Bruno Paillard has firmly established itself among the elite of Champagne producers.

Visions of the future

Bruno Paillard Champagne is known for its innovative spirit and tireless commitment to quality. It has developed a special bottle mould that guarantees that no external bottles are bought in, but that the entire ageing process takes place in-house. This transparency and the pursuit of perfection have made Bruno Paillard a pioneer in Champagne.

The company's future plans include a complete switch to organic cultivation, which emphasises its high quality standards and commitment to sustainability. The vision of Bruno Paillard remains to produce champagne of the highest quality that reflects the terroir of Champagne in a unique way.

Conclusion

Bruno Paillard champagne is an outstanding example of innovation and uncompromising quality in the world of champagne. Since its foundation in 1981, the house has made a significant impact in the Champagne region and has established itself as one of the best champagne producers. The N.P.U. - Nec Plus Ultra symbolises the excellence and pursuit of perfection that characterise Bruno Paillard champagne. With a clear vision for the future and a deep respect for tradition, Bruno Paillard Champagne remains a beacon of quality and innovation in Champagne.