Aÿ is a place in the Champagne Region where dreams come alive and making some of the finest Champagne on Earth is considered routine. Yet this routine never becomes lazy or second best to quantity – and it all began early in 1584 when Pierre Gosset began his quest to produce wines from the bounty of his own vineyards. A story that is familiar, but as with every house out there, is completely unique to the originators.

One might think that rivalry was non-existent back then, with this fledgling business only in its infancy and the long road ahead unknown. In fact, nothing could be considered less true, as is demonstrated by the competition fought between that of Aÿ and Beaune – made all the more fiersome by the fact that both wines were made from Pinot and Chardonnay Black.