The estate makes Champagne from a few dozens of hectares of vineyards. The picture above shows some of them, with the Moulin de Verzenay, the windmill overlooking the area.
Mr Morzeven gave us his time and passion for his (fantastic) Champagne wine . Mailly is the name of the village where "Mailly Champagne " is located . The M.C. yearly output is about 45 000 bottles , from 70 hectares (1 Ha = 2.47 acres) , on this village . They have a stock of about 1.8 million bottles . As it is compulsory for Champagne wines , grape harvest is hand made . They need 5 persons during 12 days to harvest one hectare . As the quality of the wine always depends of the grapes , a lot of attention is given to them . Only perfect condition . No leaves . Last year for the first time , due to the extreme weather conditions , harvest was in august . Never happened before.
After the grapes go through the press , the resulting juice goes in tanks where the alcoholic fermentation is controlled through temperature . It stays there till the following spring , when an addition of sugar (24 grams/liter) and yeast before bottling , will lead to the second fermentation , in the bottles this time , which will be tightly sealed by a temporary cap .
The dead yeast is frozen briefly , the bottle opened and the lees disgorged . Then , the secret and precious dosage (in french : liqueur d'expedition) is injected . The composition of this additive is kept secret by all these prestigious champagne makers . The added volume is about 1 cl/bottle . Then comes the cork and the wire to keep it tight.
__The " Brut sans annee " . You always must begin by this "no year" Brut Champagne . This is the identification of a Champagne house , as every year you will recognize its specificity . This one has the typicity of Mailly Champagne , 75 % pinot noir and 25 % chardonnay . This one has maybe 50 % coming from the 2000 harvest , plus 10 % 1999 , 10 % 1998 , 10 % 1997 , 5 % 1996 and so on ...
__Second : Extra Brut . 6 years in cellars . "non dosé" , o% sugar .Stays on the fruit . Not agressive at all .Natural acidity estomped with the years . Honey .
__Third : Blanc de Noirs . Opposed to the precedent . Was brought back to the market in 1988 . Was not made anymore at the time . First commercialization in 1992 . Needed several years to make it , and now , well exported . Round , silky . Not a millesime , to keep the identification looked after.
__Fourth : Brut Millesime 1997 . Very great wine . My best choice . Very good. Very good year in Champagne ( as opposed to the Bordeaux region ) . A lot of complexity . . Honey . dry fruits . Almonds . I wanted a picture of this marvel . Here it is .
__Sixth : Brut rose . Also great . This is a maceration rose . Never the same color . Sometimes goes to the orange tile tones . 90 % pinot noir and 10 % chardonnay.
This was indeed a great experience . Thank you !
What year was a perfect 10 for champagne - 1980 ? 87 ? 90 ? 96 ?
Can you advise please ?
Posted by: peter sheen | June 24, 2007 at 01:25 PM
Does anyone know where I can buy any Mailly (except the BB&R blend)in the UK or Ireland
Posted by: John Magennis | July 06, 2011 at 04:54 PM
I know their cuvées are a bit hard to find in France too, although it's not a small Champagne house. I called them and there's only Berry Brothers. You might ask if BB&R if they can have a wider range from Mailly. Mailly Champagne is for me an excellent producer which is still little known.
Posted by: Bertrand | July 06, 2011 at 05:16 PM
Hi Bertrand, I eventually found a source for the NV, I don't know if it is just my imagination but I think the BB&R label cuvee is not as good as the Mailly label. Will try a comparison this weekend to check. Unfortunately Winehound only stock the NV and they also charge £25+ for delivery of a case to N Ireland but it's free delivery in the rest of the UK. This is a very poor marketing decision for Winehound as this is one of my favorite champagnes and I would buy twice as much if delivery was less. I have introduced some friends to Mailly and they also think it is one of the best that they have tasted but the extra delivery charge puts them off buying. I'll just have to keep on looking for a supplier of the other cuvees.
Posted by: John Magennis | August 23, 2011 at 11:59 AM