Ace of Spades Fun Facts

In recent years, Armand de Brignac has become one of the most popular Champagnes in the market. Thanks to Jay Z buying the brand in November 2014, Ace of Spades has become a mainstay at bars, clubs, and restaurants worldwide.

Prestige does not come cheap. At nearly ₦250,000 a bottle (retail price), you should know what you’re getting out of your opaque bottle. Here are eight fun facts about Ace of Spades Champagne.

The Name

The actual name for Ace of Spades Champagne is Armand de Brignac, produced by Champagne Cattier. Its colloquial nickname (Ace of Spade) is derived from the apparent design of the bottle.

Five is the number

The Armand de Brignac labelling has five actual cuvées: Demi-Sec, Gold Brut, Blanc de Noirs, Rosé, Demi-Sec, and Blanc de Blancs. Each cuvée uses the traditional Champagne grapes (Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir). The Blanc de Blancs is made of 100% Chardonnay and the Blanc de Noirs is made of 100% Pinot Noir. The others are mixed in proportions.

It’s a family thing

Over 10 team members handle each Ace of Spades bottle before leaving the factory, including those of Jean-Jacques and Alexandre Cattier (12th and 13th generation winemakers of the family).

Location

Grapes for Ace of Spades Champagnes are sourced from the Cattier family’s 30-plus vine hectares, including carefully selected growers, across the Champagne Montagne de Reims region.

Manual Processes

Armand de Brignac prioritizes quality. The fruits are hand-picked and processed at one of the family-owned factories. The first juice press is used for producing Champagne. The bottles are riddled by hand and age on their lees. Top-quality wine aged underground is used for dosage.

Award-winning, top-reviewed bottles

Armand de Brignac has been approved by many critics, including José Penin and Jancis Robinson, who rated the Champagne No. 1 out of 1,000 Champagne bottlings in 2009. It also received regular 90+ scores in several reviews, including Wine Spectator and Decanter.

It cost quite a bit

A bottle of Ace of Spades will cost you roughly ₦250,000 in a retail store. Be ready to spend a few more during a bubbly night out with pals.

Celeb Status

Celebrity Jay-Z officially purchased the Armand de Brignac brand in November 2014. Since the acquisition, the brand’s popularity has skyrocketed.