The “Royale Reserve” refer that the Philipponnat family supplied the Sun King with wine.

Royale Réserve Brut

65% from Pinot Noiri, 35% from Chardonnay and 5% from Meunieri, mostly from Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards.

Philipponnat champagne cellar

Developed in barrels, using solera method.

Partially malolactic fermentation and barrel development have been used to obtain depth of taste. Aged for three years.

Clos de Goisses

You can smell the summer morning near the bakery. The freshness of the rain, the aroma of still moist leaves. The smell of yellow wild primula, which is gradually replaced by a delicate citrus aroma end with slight aroma of honey and strawberries.

The aroma also has the freshness of summer mornings, the tartness of lemon and grapefruit is softened by the berry flavours of raspberries. As expected, the aftertaste of the brioche caresses the palate. I’ve drunk Royale Réserve both at the Philipponnat Champagne House and at the Sommelier Wine Fair. Yet the taste of this champagne is simply incomparable on a summer morning greeting the day with friends at the  Sunday Farmers Market. Royale Réserve Brut manages to evoke emotions associated with hope and fun and summer and a busy day.

Yet a glass of Royale Réserve Brut is the perfect way to end a long and successful day or to start an evening with friends. The palette offers the possibility of painting a multitude of emotions.

Degustation in Mareuil-sur-Ay

Royale Réserve Non Dosé

Zero dosage is a modern method that has become very popular among consumers. No sugar is added to the champagne, only residual sugar is in the bottle. Champagnes made using this method are pleasantly fresh and convey the character of the chalky terroir very eloquently.

Made from Pinot Noir 65% , Chardonnay 30% and Pinot Meunier 5%. Only first press juice from Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards is used. Second fermentation in bottle for 36 months, with the use of old reserve wines to give the champagne more body.

Degustation in Champagne

The aroma has a hint of saltiness and minerality, with fresh lemon and lemon peel. There is also a green apple aroma. Those who like fresh and acidic champagne will enjoy the well balanced freshness of Royal Réserve Non Dosé with its pleasantly active bubbles. On the finish, one can already taste ripe apples or rather fresh apple jam on lightly toasted bread.

I have drunk this champagne both at the Philipponnat Champagne House and at the wine fair, but it tastes best in a harbour café, where seafood arrives on the plate moments after the boat has landed. Of course, you’re not alone there.

Dosage 0g/l.

Thomas Jorez and Marko Hark

Royale Réserve Brut Rosé

Made from Pinot Noir 75% , Chardonnay 20% and Pinot Meunier 5% grape varieties. The pink color comes from the red wine made from Pinot Noir. Champagnes made from Pinot Noir are my favourites and I like Pinot Noir based rosés even more. I’ll be very cautious when describing this champagne, otherwise I wouldn’t have enough words for Philipponnat vintage rosé champagnes.

The berryiness and strong character of Pinot Noir is here pleasantly balanced with the lively character of Chardonnay. There is plenty of red berry fruit in the aroma, with a little more lingonberry than raspberry. When I taste  Royale Réserve Brut champagne on a sunny terrace and the breeze carries the scent of warm pine, the rosé in my glass starts to smell like childhood fun trips to the woods to pick wild strawberries. This deeply positive emotion sets high expectations for the taste experience.  On the palate, as expected, there’s lingonberry fruitiness and a bit of berry zest bitterness, the citrus is not overly dominant. With a slightly warmer finish, you can feel the sweet tartness of the wild strawberry.

Philipponnat Royale Réserve Rosé

On the finish, there’s a stronger sense of wild strawberry, spice and brioche or a touch of  elegance. The berryiness with a balanced citrus freshness and brioche  is what makes rosé champagne special. Yes, I know, my middle name is Madam Rosé and so I have good things to say above all to the cellar masters whose rosés are brilliant. The Philipponnat Royale Réserve Rosé alone deserves praise.