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Wine Description
The Story
Royale Réserve Brut is the purest expression of the Philipponnat style
Blend: 65% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Meunier. First press juice of mainly Grand and Premier Crus grapes from the heart of the Champagne wine-growing area. 20 to 30% of reserve wines are aged in wooden barrels using the solera system to incorporate older wines without losing freshness.
Vinification: Vinified using traditional methods to avoid premature oxidation. Partial malolactic fermentation and reserve wines aged in casks to allow the aromas to develop complexity. Moderate dosage (8 g/litre) to maintain a balance between freshness, fruitiness and vinosity without masking the wine’s character and purity.
Aging: Aged on the lees in the House’s cellars at a constant temperature of 12°C for three years, far longer than the legal minimum requirement of 15 months.
Tasting: Deep gold in colour with amber glints. Delicate froth, lively and lingering. The first nose reveals vine blossom, linden and fresh, lightly toasted bread. After breathing, aromas of summer berries, citrus fruit and honey develop. Fine vinous attack on the palate, fruity (redcurrant, raspberry, ripe grape) and full-bodied, generous and long. Light notes of biscuit and freshly baked bread on the finish.
Serve: As an aperitif, served chilled but not ice-cold (8°C). Enhances hot or cold white meats, poultry and premium charcuterie. An ideal complement to cold buffets, fish and seafood.
Storing: Royale Réserve Brut will maintain its balance and liveliness for about two years stored in a cool dark cellar. It will then develop for a further five years at least towards greater complexity and roundness.
Inside knowledge: The name of Royal Réserve goes back to the ancestors of the Philipponnat family, vineyard owners, wine-merchants and winemakers, suppliers to Louis XIV, magistrates and Royal Mayors of Ay.
A word from the Cellar Master: The essential characteristics of the Mareuil-sur-Ay terroir, where mainly Pinot Noir grapes are grown, are predominant in this cuvée. It offers a superb balance between structure, vinosity and a long finish.
Wine Information
The Royale Réserve is the emblematic blend of the House of Philipponnat, combining freshness and vinosity.
Drawing on the historic tradition of Philipponnat in the region of Ay and Mareuil-sur-Ay, Royale Réserve takes advantage of the rich and powerful Pinot Noir grapes from the southern side of the Montagne de Reims, which always makes up the majority of the blend.
With three years' ageing, Royale Réserve is quite sufficiently mature, yet remains crisp and therefore is a perfect aperitif. Its vinosity also makes excellent matches with white meat, cold cuts, poultry and fish.
Blend:
Pure cuvée (first pressing) of Pinot Noir (always the major part of the blend, 65%), of Chardonnay (30%) and of Pinot Meunier (5%, always the smallest portion of the blend).
The Pinot Noir grapes come essentially from our own vineyards, located in Ay and Mareuil sur Ay. The Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier grapes come from the finest vineyards in the heart of the Champagne region. Reserve wines: 25 to 40%. These are blended again every year in a "solera" fashion in order to incorporate older wines without loosing freshness.
Wine making:
Traditional, avoiding any premature oxidation. Malo-lactic fermentation is most often chosen for wines processed in vats. For the past few years, a portion of the wines have been processed in barrels in order to obtain a discrete hint which adds to the complexity of the blend. These wines do not undergo malo-lactic fermentation. The dosage (8 grams/litre) is low and the liqueurs are not aged, so that they do not influence the wine’s character and purity.
Ageing:
Around 3 years on the yeast, much longer than the 15 month legal minimum. All wines are given three months between disgorgement and shipping. Each bottle bears its disgorgement date on its back label.
Storing and service:
While deliciously fresh when young, the Royale Réserve ages well since its blending process is very similar to the blending of a vintage wine. Progressively, it will become more profound, and will age nicely for at least 5 years in a suitable cellar (cool and dark). Serve between 8-9°C.
Wine & Food Pairing:
Ideal as an aperitif before a good meal. Puff pastry, hors d’oeuvres and pork-butchery. Seafood and grilled or steamed fish, roast poultry and white meats.
