Champagne Bollinger
Champagne house in Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne.
- Village
- Aÿ (Grand Cru)
- Region
- Vallée de la Marne
- Type of house
- NM · Négociant Manipulant
- Founded
- 1829
- Cuvées in the guide
- 27
Bollinger is an independent champagne house in Aÿ, founded in 1829 by Athanase de Villermont, Joseph (Jacques) Bollinger and Paul Renaudin. The house is known for its powerful, Pinot Noir-driven style and has remained in family hands to this day, apart from a period under external managers such as Jérôme Philipon (2007-2019) and Charles-Armand de Belenet.
History and Leadership
The Bollinger family built the house into a leading brand, notably under Jacques Bollinger and later his widow Lily Bollinger, who steered the company through the Second World War. Bollinger has been the official champagne of the British royal family since 1884 and is associated with James Bond, who has been drinking the brand since 1979. The house has an unprecedentedly large wine library with more than 1 million magnum bottles of reserve wines, a unique process to guarantee consistency and complexity.
Vineyards
Bollinger owns approximately 174 to 180 hectares of its own vineyards, of which 85% is classified as Grand Cru or Premier Cru. The grape varieties are spread across seven specific areas:
- Pinot Noir (60%): Cultivated in Aÿ, Avenay, Tauxières, Louvois and Verzenay.
- Chardonnay: Mainly from Cuis.
- Pinot Meunier: From Champvoisy.
A unique feature are two plots, Clos Saint-Jacques and Chaudes Terres, which were never hit by the phylloxera disaster and are still grown as old, native vines (franc de pied).
Approach and Traditions
Vinification is distinguished by the use of old oak barrels (barriques), a method that has almost disappeared in the Champagne region. This process, carried out by the last remaining full-time cooper in Champagne, gives the wines extra roundness and texture. In addition, a large part of the reserve wines is kept in magnum bottles, which benefits the stability and quality of the blend. The champagnes undergo long ageing on the lees, often at least three years, and are disgorged by hand ("à la volée").
Iconic Champagnes
- Special Cuvée: The flagship and best-selling cuvée, a blend of approximately 60% Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, aged for at least three years.
- La Grande Année: A prestigious vintage champagne produced only in exceptional years and aged for at least five years on the lees.
- Récemment Dégorgé: A variant of La Grande Année that ages for longer (8 to 25 years) and whose disgorgement date is stated on the label.
- Vieilles Vignes Françaises: A rare, exclusive Blanc de Noirs made from the old, phylloxera-resistant vines of Clos Saint-Jacques.
Cuvées by Bollinger
Importers
Bollinger is imported by: Best of Wines, Bovino, De Larense Wijnkoperij, Gall & Gall, HANOS, L'Atelier du Champagne, MooieProducten.nl, Pasteuning Wines & Spirits BV, Perfecte Wijn B.V., Thiessen Wijnkoopers, Wijnkoperij Van den Hoogen.
Where it is sold
Shops and wholesalers carrying Bollinger: Best of Wines, Bottle Hero, Bovino, Cavissima, Christian Winecellars, De Larense Wijnkoperij, Flesjewijn.com, Gall & Gall, HANOS, L'Atelier du Champagne, MooieProducten.nl, Nobel Wijnkoperij, Pasteuning Wines & Spirits BV, Perfecte Wijn B.V., Slijterij & Wijnhandel Madison, Ton Overmars, Vinify, Wijnhandel Peeters, Wijnkoperij Van den Hoogen, Wijnkring.
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