Maison Bruno Paillard unveils Dosage:Zéro

Champagne House Bruno Paillard has launched a new cuvée in the UK – Dosage : Zéro.

D:Z as its is known is a multi-vintage Champagne that will sit alongside the three existing MVs in the house's portfolio; Premiere Cuvée, Rosé Premiere Cuvée and Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, all of which are extra brut.

In producing D:Z, the house claims that the use of reserve wines is key; 50 per cent is comprised of reserve wines – high for Champagne – which includes vintages going back to 1985 in a solera-style system. Some of these reserve wines underwent their first fermentation in barrel. Some of which were kept in barrel and tank; others for more than 10 years in bottle before disgorgement, resulting in an intensified autolysis. Ageing is far longer than the legal requirement: D:Z has three to four years in bottle “sur lies”, followed by six months rest post-disgorgement, the date of which is stated on the back label.

D:Z is a première cuvée Champagne, in which the house has given precidence to Meunier, in contrast to its existing cuvées. The blend is dominated by the terroirs of the northern slopes of Montagne de Reims and – specifically for the Meunier – the first few kilometers on the right bank of the Marne Valley. Meunier accounts for the majority of the cuvée, with equal proportions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir alongside. The majority of the assemblage is vinified in small oak barrels.

D:Z will be distributed by Bibendum Wines and will be listed in both the on- and off-trade. It will be listed in Hedonism at £49.80.

16 October 2018 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editor