Bollinger

Certainly one of the best producers in Champagne, Bollinger's wine style is full-bodied with great developed complexity. Usually a high proportion of Pinot Noir is used in the blend. Bollinger's champagne is recommended across its whole range from the most basic non-vintage Special Cuvee to its prestige cuvee and vintage cuvee.

Instead of fermenting wines in stainless steel, Bollinger is one of the few producers to ferment at least part of its wine in small oak barrel. New oak is avoid as the aromas of wood is unwanted. Reserve wines are stored in magnum for more stable maturation.

Ranges of champagne produced by Bollinger include:

• Special Cuvee – Bollinger's non-vintage offering. The wine is usually a blend of at least 80% Pinot Noir. Wines are usually from the latest two harvests. A proportion of the wine is fermented in small oak barrel and then blend with wine fermented in stainless steel. The wine is matured in cellar for at least three years before disgorgement.

• Bollinger Rose – This is made by adding 5-6% of red wine into white champagne. All the grapes are coming from Grand Cru villages of Ay and Verzenay. The wine is fermented and matured in wood barrel.

• La Grande Annee – This is Bollinger's vintage champagne that is produced only in good years. Both standard white champagne and rose champagne are produced. Wine is usually matured in cellar for at least six years before disgorgement.

• R.D. – Recently Disgorged champagne offering from Bollinger. Only produced in exceptional years. Wine has extended ageing on lees in cellar (usually at least 10 years) before disgorgement. Wine will paradoxically combines freshness and developed secondary and tertiary aromas.

• Vieilles Vignes Francaises – Produced from ungrafted Pinot Noir of extremely old aged vines. Production quantity is extremely small.