Ayala Champagne Brut Majeur
Regular price $54.98
Brut Majeur is a blend of Chardonnay (40%), Pinot Noir (40%) and Pinot Meunier (20%). Pinot Noir and Chardonnay bring vinosity and delicacy together in a very harmoniously balanced blend. The complement of Pinot Meunier adds a charming touch of fruitiness and liveliness. Everything from grape reception to vinification, aging, riddling and disgorgement is done at the Ayala cellars. Brut Majeur is fermented in stainless steel, with a focus on freshness and precision. It spends 2.5 years on the lees and rests in the cellar for at least 3 months after disgorgement.
Pale gold in color. Very aromatic on the nose with a well-balanced palate showing great finesse and complexity. Delicately fresh and fruity notes with green apple, honey, biscuit and an elegant texture.
Ayala is one of the most exciting stories in Champagne today, and the definition of a boutique Champagne producer. This historic house has been rivatilized by a small, young and dynamic team that handles every step of production, from grape reception to labeling, in their jewel of a facility. Ayala crafts Chardonnay-focused wines that deliver immense precision, elegance and pleasure.
The House has been long-known as the “sleeping beauty of Champagne” because of its prominence in the late 19th and first half of the 20th century, and its beautifully preserved Art Deco cellars dating to 1912. Ayala was one of the 18 founding members of the “Grandes Marques de Champagne” syndicate in 1882 and went through a golden age in the 1920s and 1930s, rising to prominence as one of the most exported Maisons in Champagne — the drink of choice in bohemian Paris and London. Ayala’s re-ascent after a long quiet period began when it was acquired by the Bollinger family in 2005. Today, it is important to note that both estates are run independently, with equally independent philosophies.
Last but not least, Ayala is led by the immensely talented Cellarmaster Caroline Latrive, one of very few female winemakers in Champagne today. To an extraordinary degree, she has pushed a small vineyard plot approach to winemaking, all in an effort to create more complex blends and to capture every bit of fresh aromatics as possible.
Shipping Policy
- Unless your delivery address is on the West Coast, we strongly discourage you from selecting “Ground Service” as your shipping method. During the winter and summer months, weather conditions (temperature) and longer delivery times can often result in the spoilage of your order. It doesn’t make sense to invest in fine wines and then take the chance of ruining them due environmental factors during transit (faster and safer delivery generally isn’t much more expensive). We don’t make an additional profit on accelerated delivery, but we frequently recommend faster shipping options to our customers outside the West Coast.
- You must be 21 years of age to order or receive alcoholic beverages. Any shipments containing alcoholic beverages are sent with an “Adult Signature Required” sticker, and the common carrier that delivers our merchandise is required to ask and check for identification upon delivery. This means that an adult will have to be present at the time of delivery. Please consider shipping to an office address.
- During periods of extreme weather, we attempt to ship wines at the beginning of each week in order to get shipments to you before the weekend. This is because we have no control over the temperature conditions at our freight carriers’ warehouses. The result may be that your shipment doesn’t go out the day that you place an order.
- We ship by Fedex or Fedex Ground. Our prices include packaging materials. Insurance may be available for an additional charge.
- Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. will arrange for shipment on behalf of the buyer, to an address specified by the buyer, provided that Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. in its sole judgment believes that such shipment will not subject Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. to the risk of any sort of legal action or other harm. If a buyer lives in a state where the direct shipment of wine by Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. violates the law, we suggest that the buyer provide an alternative address in another state or have their wine shipped to a third-party storage facility in a direct shipping-friendly state.
- Various states impose limitations on the quantity of alcoholic beverages that may be purchased and brought into their jurisdiction by a purchaser from another state without requiring the purchaser, a seller or shipper to possess certain licenses or permits. Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. does not, as a condition of sale, assume any obligation nor bear any responsibility whatsoever for applying or obtaining any permits or licenses. Therefore, we recommend that you investigate the possibility of such limitations, and determine the manner in which alcoholic beverages shall be brought into your state from California, so as to comply with all of your state’s requirements.
- Wine shipping rules in the United States are controlled by the state you live in. We do not ship wine to the following states at this time:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Delaware
Kansas - Kentucky
Louisiana - Maine
Maryland - Massachusetts
Michigan - Mississippi
Montana - Nevada
New York - North Dakota
Oklahoma - Pennsylvania
Rhode Island - South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
List Updated 2/1/2023
Please inquire about international shipping.
Vintage Wine Merchants
377 Santana Row, Suite 1135
San Jose, CA 95128
408-260-1115
