Contents
Wine House Bollinger (Bolanger) is one of the world’s best producers of elite champagne. The company creates wines with a complex and outstanding taste, which is highly appreciated by experts. Maturation takes place in small barrels and lasts twice as long as the established standards. A huge collection of reserve wines allows you to produce champagne with the same bouquet, regardless of the vintage.
Historical information
The Bollinger company appeared in 1829 as a result of the family union of a young winemaker Jacques Bolanger and Charlotte de Villermont, whose family owned vineyards in the province of Champagne since the end of the XNUMXth century. Although the house of Willermont became the head office of the company, it was decided not to use this name on the labels. The company was named Renaudin Bollinger.
The sons of the first owners continued the work of their parents and increased the area of vineyards, buying land in nearby villages. Champagne Bollinger has become famous far beyond the borders of France. In 1884, the company received the status of a supplier to the Royal Court of Great Britain.
In 1918, the founder’s grandson Jacques Bolanger married Elisabeth (Lily) Bubers. The couple significantly expanded the enterprise: they built new cellars and acquired new wineries. In 1941, Bolanger died, bequeathing the company to his wife. The talented woman managed to raise the status of the wine house to a high level. Advertising champagne, she traveled around the world a lot, and her statements became quotes.
Lily Bolanger managed the company until 1971, after her death, the company passed to her nephews. Bollinger remains a family company, representatives of the sixth generation of the founders of the wine house are already at the helm. The brand’s champagne has become a cult classic and has appeared in numerous Hollywood films.
Production features
Bollinger owns about 160 hectares of vineyards in the province of Champagne, which have preserved rare Pinot Noir vines that survived the phylloxera epidemic. These grapes define the style of Bollinger wines.
Champagne is fermented in oak barrels, where Chardonnay was previously aged for four years. Tasters evaluate the flavor bouquet of young wine, some go on sale immediately, and the best batches are bottled and stored. The minimum aging period is three years, vintage varieties ripen for twelve years.
Interesting Facts
- The age of barrels at the enterprise reaches 80-100 years. The company has its own cooper, who works 6 months a year and during this time processes about 400 containers.
- Bollinger’s technologists select the best wines from each year’s vintage for back-up storage. The company’s collection includes about 300 thousand magnums – 1,5-liter bottles. This system allows you to maintain high quality products and produce wines with the same taste, regardless of the vintage.
Types of Champagne Bolanger
Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut, 12%
Blend with the addition of reserve wines aged from 5 to 15 years. Champagne of golden color with small bubbles. Baked apples, ripe peaches and spices are felt in the aroma. In a delicate and enveloping taste, shades of fresh pastries, walnut pears are mixed. Pairs with fish, Japanese cuisine, seafood, poultry and parmesan.
Bollinger Rose Brut, 12%
Champagne with the addition of 5% red wine, which gives the drink a soft pink hue with bronze reflections. The spicy aroma intertwines the smells of fresh berries: cherries, currants and strawberries. The taste is velvety and refreshing, tannins appear brighter at the finish. Serve chilled with lobster, salmon, Asian dishes and fruit desserts.
Bollinger La Grande Annee 2008, 12%
Vintage champagne 2008 vintage. The blend includes 71% Pinot Noir grapes. The aroma is deep and multifaceted – there are fruity, spicy and floral tones. The taste is full and harmonious, peach, plum, orange peel and saffron stand out. The aftertaste is mineral and slightly salty.
