The Story of a Grand Cru Mailly Grand Cru is the story of a remarkable Mailly Champagne has soul, one All at Mailly Champagne share one carefully nurtured today by a new over-riding commitment: to make a adventure, inspired by a privileged . Its legacy of success generation of winegrowers who great festive , born of passion is outstanding, even by the standards of a region so long cherish independent thought just and conviction, a tribute to the collective renowned for its . like their forefathers. talents of the people on whom its success depends – a Champagne to Seventy hectares owned by 25 families make our distributors proud and our make up a single holding Grand Cru customers forever happy. 1920 1929 Today where the separate vinification of selected parcels makes for a hugely Xavier MULLER, President varied range of wines. Jean-François PRéAU, Director The House of Mailly inherits a cen- The vineyard has retained that Shaking off the hardships of the It is now more than 80 years since turies-old tradition of winemaking, much-coveted status for nearly one Great Depression, Mailly Champagne the founders of this association put With a potential annual production in a village that was first classified hundred years, fuelling the spirit Grand Cru is a testament to the their vision to the test. In that time, capacity of 500,000 bottles, Mailly Grand Cru in 1920. of enterprise that has inspired this power of positive thinking in the face the House of Mailly has weathered Grand Cru is a rare gem among House since its foundation in 1929. of adversity. the storms of the 20th century to Champagne Houses – one with a emerge as one of the brightest lights thousand different facets that must on the Champagne scene - resounding be polished daily to keep it twinkling proof that the business is still firmly brightest of all. headed in the right direction.

2 3 4 5 History of The roots of a Grand Cru Intrepid The spirit behind A devotion to the vineyard winegrowers the estat e superior-quality fruit

Champagne Mailly Grand Cru 17 “Grands Crus”

the Pyramid 44 “Premiers Crus” of Champagne Crus 258 “Crus A.O.C.”

The village of Mailly is said to 1929, Mailly Champagne… derive its name from the Latin Malliusacum. After the ravages of World War I came The Mailly Grand Cru estate extends The vines today are lovingly tended the market crash of 1929 that plunged across 70 hectares, entirely located by some 80 winegrowers, all descended Grapes have been grown in Mailly for Mailly Champagne was classified the world into Depression. in the Grand Cru village of Mailly from that handful of men who together centuries, since before the building Grand Cru in 1920. Champagne, at the heart of the established this estate and resolved of Reims Cathedral in the 13th Century. In response, a group of intrepid Montagne de Reims nature park. to prove the magnificent potential of Mailly wines were much appreciated winegrowers founded the association the Mailly terroir. by the church and nobility and graced The exceptional quality of Mailly grapes comes from the area’s of Mailly Champagne producers, The vineyard is divided into 480 plots, all of the finest tables from the chalk subsoil that regulates soil temperature and humidity, and joining forces under a motto that planted to the two noble Champagne With this goal in mind, they have for sums up everything they stood for: Middle Ages onward. hillside plantings that enjoy full exposure to the sun. varietals, the Pinot Noir (75%) and many years now applied sustainable the (25%). methods of cultivation – good for the Mailly winegrowers have witnessed ‘à la tête par la main’ soil and good for the environment. the landmark events that shaped Only 17 of Champagne’s 319 villages currently enjoy Grand (together we can make it happen). Blessed with a unique terroir, the French history, contributing to the Cru status. The fruit they produce is rare and expensive and vineyard is distinguished by a location Every plot is managed with the greatest rising fortunes of Champagne in the usually reserved for the finest Champagne cuvees. They bravely determined to make that faces all four points of the compass. of care, and a common devotion to 17th Century. richly expressive wines from fruit Most of the plots are north-facing, superior-quality fruit. grown exclusively in the of favouring subtle, well-balanced wines. Mailly Grand Cru is the only Champagne House to source all their particular Grand Cru village. of its wines from Grand Cru vineyards.

6 7 Cellar Secrets

Sébastien Moncuit, Single-vineyard Aging chef de cav e cuvees reserve wines Blending cellars

The chef de cave is the keeper of the Reserve wines are this estate’s February is the time for blending This vaulted cellar is part of a kilometre- particular forte. The House boasts a – that magical, decisive moment long network of crayères that were Mailly house style. unique collection of still wines that dug from the chalk by the estate’s The chef de cave’s strength also rests on his detailed express the significant variations when the die is cast. founding fathers over a period of knowledge of the vineyard. He knows that every «lieu-dit» between harvests, some stored in more than 30 years. Working every (named plot) has specific characteristics, and works small tanks others in tuns. It is now the task of the tasting winter from 1929 to 1965, with only His skill is his ability to create elegant, harmonious with winegrowers to organize picking and pressing committee, guided by the chef de pickaxes for tools, they created the blends that express the character of each harvest. He is accordingly. Wines from more than ten distinct cave, to draw distinctions between perfect environment to mature their the creative genius behind Mailly . vintages are at the chef de cave’s a wide variety of aromas and tastes. Grand Cru champagnes. He has a gift for selecting the most promising fruit, disposal to use as required when More than 60 different wines are His subterranean kingdom includes the ‘crayères’: choosing from a wide variety of plots that he singles out blending. available for blending, including this It is here that Mailly champagnes cathedral-like chalk vaults that Hervé has come to know for separate fermentation in small tanks and casks. year’s wines, reserve wines, oak-aged develop their effervescence, stored like the back of his hand. It is here that the wines rest Reserve wines are extraordinarily wines and many more. at a constant temperature of 12°C. peacefully pending export to destinations worldwide. This emphasis on single-vineyard cuvees provides the aromatic and complex, providing an cellar-master with a range of exceptional still wines invaluable complement to the wines The aim is to create a cuvee rooted in And here they will remain for many that hold the key to successful blending. of the year. harmony and elegance – a symphonic years to come, buried 19 metres blend of aromas and flavours. underground in the cool, silent ambiance of these historic chalk pits.

8 9 10 11 Discreet luxury

haute couture champagnes

Each creative venture is expressed in sober and elegant aesthetics that reflect our rigorous commitment to quality.

An annual output of just 500,000 bottles every year guarantees optimal quality control.

Packaging design and gift presentation, using rigorously selected materials, add the final touch to a range of cuvees that are made with the same painstaking care as haute-couture clothing.

Aesthetically-driven design Glass pavilion

Imaginative architecture, stylish The Mailly estate is located at the entrance to the village of Mailly packaging, clean communication, Champagne, looking out over the entire Champagne winegrowing area. expressive Champagnes – Mailly Grand Cru Champagne This privileged setting is used to the full by the glass, pavilion-style winery building with its cellars, winemaking facility and reception areas. The work of has always moved with the Italian architect Giovanni Pace, the building is a subtle blend of modern and times, creating an identity that traditional design. is rooted in audacity, innovation and refinement. Light is everywhere, framed in a simple, uncluttered style, purified by the use of noble materials such as blonde wood, stone and decorative wrought iron…

12 13 Brand ambassadors

Mailly Grand Cru Champagnes are distributed in France by an exclusive network of wine merchants, sommeliers and restaurateurs.

These people are committed pro- fessionals who speak the language of wine – people with the skills and experience required to convey the special qualities of Mailly Grand Cru Champagnes.

The House now exports to more than 35 countries worldwide, through selected importers who share our commitment to excellence in Champagne.

14 15 L’abus d’alcool est dangereux pour la santé. A consommer avec modération. Conception graphique : Crédit photographique : Studio De Visu / A. Proust / M. Jolyot / R. Marchal / F. Dehoche / JM. Lecomte