Bérêche et Fils : Ay Grand Cru 2018

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Aÿ Grand Cru 2018 by Bérêche et Fils

Tasting

Color

The wine shows a pale gold hue, hinting at the depth and vinous character carried by this Aÿ grand cru.

Nose

The nose opens on red berries and citrus zest, layered with delicate floral notes before gradually revealing pastry-like and lightly smoky nuances that add complexity to the aromatic profile.

Palate

The palate is dense yet lifted, carried by a very fine, persistent mousse. A saline tension runs through the wine, giving it energy and length, and the finish lingers with remarkable persistence.

Food and Wine Pairings

This champagne pairs beautifully with refined, delicate dishes such as roasted white poultry served with a creamy sauce, pan-seared scallops, or a mushroom risotto, all of which echo its combination of richness and freshness.

Other Characteristics

Crafted as an extra-brut, this champagne carries a low dosage that highlights its dry, precise style. It is produced without malolactic fermentation, a choice that preserves a lively acidity and reinforces the wine's saline, mineral-driven character.

An Aÿ Grand Cru Champagne Reflecting the Pinot Noir Terroir of Bérêche et Fils

The Estate

Bérêche et Fils is a family-run champagne house founded in Ludes in 1847, in the heart of the Montagne de Reims. Today led by Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche, representing the fifth generation, the estate has built its identity on parcel-by-parcel winemaking, extremely low-intervention viticulture, and a deep respect for the diversity of Champagne's terroirs, positioning it among the most respected names of the grower-champagne movement.

The Vineyard

This cuvée originates from two historic plots on the Aÿ grand cru, Froide Terre and Brise Pot, located in the Grande Vallée de la Marne within the Champagne region. The vines grow on steep, south and southwest-facing slopes over chalky, limestone-rich soils, a combination that gives the fruit both power and a distinct mineral backbone characteristic of this prestigious pinot noir terroir.

Winemaking and Aging

For the Aÿ Grand Cru 2018, the grapes are vinified in small oak barrels using indigenous yeasts, without malolactic fermentation, in order to preserve freshness and precision. The wine then undergoes an extended aging period on its lees, sealed under a cork stopper, a traditional approach that contributes to its depth and textured mousse.

Grape Varieties

This champagne is primarily built around pinot noir, complemented by a smaller proportion of chardonnay.