Once you’ve enjoyed a bottle of the legendary Armand de Brignac champagne, you’ll be hooked. Baroque Access has all the details about one of France’s best-kept secrets.
Armand de Brignac is an extraordinary bespoke French champagne. Not only has it been rated as one of the best in the world, but every bottle is also a handmade masterpiece. The original bottle was designed by Paris couturier Andre Courreges, famous not only for his exquisite creations, but also for inventing the mini skirt in the Swinging Sixties.
As every bottle is hand-made, no two are ever the same. And that includes the exquisite pewter labels that are meticulously engraved. Of course, looking spectacular is only one aspect of this iconic brand. Armand de Brignac is created by a family of winemakers who have been in business since 1763. Today there is a small hands-on team of eight people responsible for production who ensure the uniqueness and quality that has made this rich, complex product so famous.
This is an artisanal way of producing luxury champagne. The family winery is based in the famous Champagne region, in a little village called Chinge les Roses, 10km from the capital, Châlons en Champagne. There is no machinery in the winery; everything is done entirely by hand, from pressing to bottling and creating the labels. And this is how Armand de Brignac produces all 70,000 bottles every year.
Armand de Brignac is created from what they call “the perfect balance” of Pinot Meunier grapes, combined with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The cellars are renowned for being some of the deepest in the country, and the liquid is aged in oak casks for nine months to ensure a luxurious end product. In addition, bottles are turned by hand every day, in keeping with Champagne tradition. This apparently gives the champagne “an extra touch of soul”.
This iconic champagne is known for being 21st Century champagne created the traditional way. There are three varieties – the original champagne, which is sold in the gold bottle, a Rosé in a rose gold bottle, and Blanc de Blanc, in a white gold bottle. Armand de Brignac Champagne is sold in more than 120 countries around the world in various size bottles. It was chosen as the winner of the Fine Champagne Magazine Best champagne in the world awards, out of a blind tasting of 1,000 brands.