Aÿ: Where Champagne Was Born

Before Champagne sparkled, it was still wine from Aÿ. This Grand Cru village was so renowned in the 16th century that Francis I called himself 'Lord of Aÿ.' Today it's home to Bollinger, whose Vieilles Vignes Françaises is made from ungrafted pre-phylloxera Pinot Noir vines - among the oldest in the world.

City

Aÿ

Country

🇫🇷 France

Duration

3 hours

Venue

📍

Aÿ: Where Champagne Was Born

winery · Aÿ

How to Complete

3 steps to experience this fully

The house that makes wine from pre-phylloxera vines.

Book well ahead at champagne-bollinger.com - tours from €75. If possible, request information about the Vieilles Vignes Françaises - made from ungrafted Pinot Noir vines planted before the phylloxera epidemic (1870s). Only ~3,000 bottles made per year. Even if you cannot taste it, understanding this unicorn wine is essential.

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See oak-barrel aged Champagne from clay-rich Pinot terroir.

Book at champagne-henri-giraud.com. Henri Giraud is known for using Argonne forest oak (not Limousin) and farming some of Aÿ's best Pinot parcels. The clay-rich soil gives wines unusual depth. Ask about their single-parcel philosophy.

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The King of France called himself 'Lord of Aÿ' - find the historical marker.

Walk through the village center looking for historical plaques. Francis I (1494-1547) was so enamored with Aÿ wines that he adopted the title 'Seigneur d'Aÿ' (Lord of Aÿ). The village was famous before Champagne even sparkled.

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Aÿ: Where Champagne Was Born

Venue

How to Complete

Visit Maison Bollinger

Walk the Henri Giraud Vineyards

Find Francis I's Inscription

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