Hidden jewel of the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims, the Champagne Ayala - La Perle 2015 - Champagne AOC stands as an ode to purity and patient ageing. Made exclusively from Grands Crus, this vintage celebrates the mineral tension of the Chardonnays and the depth of the Pinots d’Aÿ with sculptural elegance. A long ageing on lees under cork, riddling on pupitres and hand disgorgement concentrate the mastery of craftsmanship and the respect for exceptional raw material. Its Extra Brut dosage gives a taut line that highlights the harmony of fruit, fine spice and warm brioche. The sunny 2015 vintage delivers generous texture, perfectly channelled energy and a rare aromatic signature, candied citrus, hazelnut, cocoa and a hint of eucalyptus. A prestige cuvée produced in limited quantities, La Perle is for connoisseurs seeking a precise, vibrant, soulful table champagne.

Blend and winemaking

Born from the Grands Crus of Chouilly, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger for the Chardonnay, complemented by the nobility of Pinot Noir from Aÿ, the blend combines roughly 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir. Vinification in stainless-steel tanks preserves the fruit’s brightness and the straight aromatic lines; malolactic fermentation brings nuanced roundness; and the long lees ageing under cork sculpts the depth and precision of the bead. Riddling on pupitres and manual disgorgement, each step follows an artisanal grammar that shapes the finesse of the effervescence and the patina of the aromas. The Extra Brut dosage at around 5 g/l underlines the saline drive and mineral architecture without masking the wine’s flesh. The 2015 vintage, marked by generous ripeness, offers a substantial backbone that the freshness of the Côte des Blancs lifts and elevates, achieving a masterful balance between sensuality and structure.

Tasting notes

• Appearance: Deep, luminous gold threaded with a ribbon of silken bubbles. Clarity and brilliance announce controlled energy and a fully realised substance.
• Nose: Layered bouquet of toasted bread, blond tobacco and hazelnut, lifted by dried flowers, candied citrus and a touch of eucalyptus, the signature of Pinots d’Aÿ. Aeration reveals praline, zest, damp chalk and a hint of cocoa bean.
• Palate: Bright attack then broad development, carried by a lemony thread and delicate bitters that structure the length. Creamy texture, flavours of dried fruit, fine cocoa and brioche; remarkable balance between freshness, generosity and complexity. Persistent finish, chiselled by precise salinity.

Serving temperature and advice

Serve between 10 and 12°C in tulip-shaped glasses to promote aromatic lift and the precision of the mousse. Allow the bottle a few minutes open to let the dried fruit and candied citrus notes unfurl. Avoid serving too cold, which would mute the wine’s substance. Store in a cool, dark cellar with controlled humidity to preserve freshness and tension. La Perle 2015 can be enjoyed now for its radiance, and will gain further complexity over the coming years as brioche and spice registers meld more with the underlying minerality.

Food pairings

• Aperitifs: light gougères, truffled cooked ham, Oscietra caviar on blinis, where saline precision answers iodine and buttery textures.
• Starters: scallop carpaccio with citrus, roasted langoustines, thin mushroom tart, all speaking to the lemony tension and noble bitters.
• Main courses: roasted free-range poultry with jus, turbot poached in Nantais butter, truffle risotto, the ample substance of the vintage embraces tender textures and delicate sauces.
• Cheeses: aged Comté, 24-month Parmesan, Brillat-Savarin, the creaminess pairs with hazelnut and cocoa nuances on the palate.
• Desserts: lightly sweetened baba, caramelised brioche, thin tart with candied citrus, for a subtle resonance without excess sweetness.

Occasions

La Perle 2015 accompanies moments when the table becomes a stage and every detail is an act of elegance. Its rarity makes it a precious companion for memorable appointments.

• To celebrate a milestone event with a Grand Cru signature, both luminous and profound.
• During a gourmet dinner where the Extra Brut balance highlights the chef’s cuisine without overpowering it.
• As an exceptional gift for a knowledgeable enthusiast sensitive to great terroir cuvées and long ageing.

Product details

• Name: Champagne Ayala, La Perle 2015
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Type: Extra Brut
• Vintage: 2015
• Grapes: Chardonnay 80%, Pinot Noir 20%
• Alcohol: Not disclosed
• Ageing: more than 8 years on lees, under cork
• Content: 75 cl
• Cellaring: drink now and over 8 to 10 years
• Serving temperature: 10–12°C