Bollinger Champagne

About Bollinger Champagne

Bollinger stands out in Champagne by sticking with barrel fermentation and a high share of Pinot Noir from the house's own, often older vineyards, giving a fuller, more wine-driven style than many lighter, floral champagnes. That has made the house a favourite among connoisseurs looking for substance as much as finesse.

History & Background

The house was founded in 1829 in Aÿ by Athanase de Villermont together with the Bollinger family, and it remains largely family-owned to this day, a rarity among the big champagne houses. The James Bond connection began when author Ian Fleming made Bollinger the agent's champagne of choice as early as the 1950s novels, a detail the films have kept ever since.

Production & Style

A large share of the house's grapes come from its own classified vineyards, including the older, ungrafted Pinot Noir vines used in the top cuvée Vieilles Vignes Françaises. The base wines are partly fermented in oak casks, adding extra body and complexity.

Signature Style

Full-bodied, Wine-like, Mature
Powerful Pinot Noir character with notes of toasted bread, nuts and ripe yellow apples, carried by firm acidity and a long, dry finish.

Facts

Did You Know?

Bollinger's link to James Bond dates all the way back to Ian Fleming's 1950s novels, decades before the first film premiere, making it one of the oldest examples of product placement in literary history.

Like Bollinger Champagne? You should also try:

Deutz Champagne and Mandois Champagne.