Champagne Bollinger is a prestigious and historic Champagne house located in the village of Aÿ in the Champagne region of France. Founded in 1829 by Hennequin de Villermont, Paul Renaudin, and Jacques Bollinger, the Bollinger family has remained at the helm of the company for generations.
Bollinger is known for its commitment to producing high-quality Champagne using traditional methods. The house is recognized for its distinct style, which combines power and richness with elegance and complexity. Bollinger Champagnes are often characterized by their deep and intense flavors, creamy textures, and exceptional aging potential.
One of the hallmarks of Bollinger is the use of a high proportion of Pinot Noir grapes in their blends. Pinot Noir plays a significant role in defining the house's style, contributing structure, depth, and a distinctive fruit character. Bollinger also values the use of reserve wines, which are aged in magnums and added to the blend to ensure consistency and complexity across vintages.
Bollinger produces a range of Champagnes, including non-vintage, vintage, and prestige cuvées. Their most famous and iconic Champagne is the Bollinger Special Cuvée, a non-vintage blend that showcases the house's style and expertise. Other notable cuvées include the Bollinger La Grande Année (Vintage) and the Bollinger R.D. (Recently Disgorged), which undergoes extended aging on the lees before release.
The Champagne Bollinger brand has gained worldwide recognition and is highly regarded by Champagne enthusiasts, sommeliers, and critics. It has also received notable attention in popular culture, particularly as the preferred Champagne of the fictional British secret agent James Bond.