Ayala promises eco-designed packaging, but without steering away from transparent glass

hampagne Ayala refuses to back-track on its choice of packaging. Even though transparent bottles are the root of many evils, including light-strike when over-exposed to light, they remain a powerful aesthetic symbol of high-end labels. Which is why the Aÿ-based Champagne house is continuing to use them for its 2018 vintage blend of Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. “All our bottles are stored away from the light and are shipped with recycled tissue paper in eco-designed packaging”, explains Hadrien Moufflard, managing director of Ayala.

The reason why transparent bottles have got such a bad name now is because they add to carbon footprint. It is estimated that a bottle accounts for 30 to 40% of a company’s carbon footprint and ignoring environmental issues is simply a no-go across the French wine regions.

Ayala itself explains that it aims to lighten the weight of the million bottles it markets annually and use more recycled glass. “We are in the test phase, like other Champagne companies, but it takes time, particularly because the commitment is industry-wide”, adds Moufflard. So until that revolution takes place, Ayala Blanc de Blancs will continue to make inroads in the top restaurants around the world.