The Return of the Roaring Twenties with Champagne Ayala

Champagne Ayala was one of the biggest names in the Champagne world in the 1920s. Founded in 1860 by Edmond de Ayala, it’s a Champagne House that’s always had an adventurous and pioneering spirit, and was one of the first to produce the hugely popular drier style of Champagne we all drink today.

By the 1920s Ayala was one of the top Champagnes both in France and in England, reaching an annual production of one million bottles and making an appearance at any soirée worth attending.

Their now-classic style of “truly dry wine” that put Ayala at the top of their game was a break from tradition at the time, and played a key part in why so many fell in love with their Champagne. The norm for Champagne was 150 g/L dosage (this is the amount of sugar added during sparkling wine production), while Ayala’s daringly low 21 g/L dosage offered a new and exciting style that was unlike anything anyone had ever tried before.

Falling into a period of quietness after World War II, Champagne Ayala was absent from the UK Champagne market for many years, focussing on the French wine market instead. This is why, despite flourishing in the 1920s, Champagne Ayala may not be a brand you’re familiar with.

However, following the winemaking estate being taken over by the world-famous Bollinger family in 2005, and the appointment of forward-thinking Cellar Master Caroline Latrive in 2007, Ayala was on track to make a big comeback to the global sparkling wine scene, paving the way for the Ayala we see today.

Yet again, Ayala is on a trajectory to become one of the biggest names from the Champagne region, producing top-tier sparkling wines such as their Champagne Ayala Brut Majeur NV. In this smooth and elegant vintage you’ll find glorious notes of citrus, white fruits, warm bread and honey, accompanied by a delicate floral bouquet, fine bubbles and a long finish.

So, next time you plan on popping open a bottle of Champagne, we highly recommend you jump on this bandwagon and give Champagne Ayala a try. Here’s to brighter times ahead and (hopefully) another Roaring Twenties!