2012 Grande Année, Bollinger

Grape Varieties

30% Chardonnay, 70% Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes

Big and powerful, this Champagne emits a pine aroma initially, exhibiting fine concentration and complexity. Rich, with some honey, nut and toast flavours, it has enough acidity to keep it lively and fresh. Typically 'Bollinger' style of concentrated, complex layers and a soft finish.

Wine Making

The House of Bollinger only produces vintage champagnes in exceptional years, when the grapes have reached a perfect quality and maturity with a perfect balance between the acids and sugars. Hence the denomination "Grande Année" given to this champagne which, unlike the "Special Cuvée", is only produced from grapes of that particular harvest. The grape supply comes only from grands crus and premiers crus vineyards of Champagne, 16 different crus are used in the assemblage of the Grande Année, 75 % from grands crus and 25 % from premiers crus. These were mainly from the villages of Aÿ, Bouzy, Louvois, Verzenay, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Mesnil s/Oger, Oger, Cuis, Cramant and Chouilly.

Food Matching

Best enjoyed on its own as a digestif or dessert, however also fantastic with dishes such as these: steamed fish fillets with scallion-ginger oil, grilled asparagus with saffron aioli.