# Champagne Philipponnat Royale Réserve Brut (NV)

- **Producer:** Champagne Philipponnat
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** sparkling
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
- **Region:** Champagne, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €49
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blossom, lemon, grapefruit, raspberry, redcurrant, brioche, toast, bread, butter, honey, almond, hazelnut

## About this wine

Maison Philipponnat has been established in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ since 1522. The historic cuvée name Royale Réserve pays homage to the family's past role as suppliers to King Louis XIV. Operating under the guiding ethos 'wine not bubbles,' Philipponnat was also the first Champagne house to break industry secrecy by printing the base vintage, exact blend composition, dosage level, and disgorgement date directly on every back label.

## Interesting facts

- Philipponnat was the first Champagne house to print disgorgement dates and dosage levels on back labels.
- The name Royale Réserve honors the Philipponnat family's history supplying King Louis XIV.
- Features reserve wines from a continuous wooden barrel solera system maintained unbroken since 1946.

## Food pairing

The rich structure driven by Pinot Noir dominance combined with crisp, vibrant acidity allows this Champagne to cut through rich creamy sauces while complementing fresh briny seafood and delicate poultry dishes.

## Wine making process

This non-vintage Champagne relies exclusively on first-press juice sourced primarily from Premier and Grand Cru vineyards. Vinification takes place in stainless steel vats and oak barrels, with partial malolactic fermentation preserved to maintain freshness. The final blend incorporates 35% to 50% perpetual reserve wines aged in oak solera systems dating back to 1946, followed by 36 months of lees aging in deep chalk cellars.