Winery & Vintage Info
In 1911, Georges Bollinger’s British agent gave him the idea for the name Special Cuvée - “special” written the English way, without an accent. He thought the French expression “Brut sans année” was no match for such a subtle champagne… More than a hundred years later, the name of Bollinger’s key figure champagne still symbolises both its expertise and its history.
La Grande Année is the very embodiment of an exceptional, timeless champagne. Artisanal savoir-faire is at the heart of its production. One such artisanal technique is vinification, which takes place in oak barrels that are around 20 years old. This helps the wine develop complex aromas, and, thanks to micro-oxygenation, lends an extraordinary ageing potential.
La Grande Année 2015 is a blend of 11 crus, predominantly 60% of Pinot Noir from Verzenay, Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and 40% of Chardonnay from Chouilly and Avize.
Fermentation takes place entirely in oak barrels and the wine is aged, sealed with a natural cork, for more than twice the time required by the appellation. Dosage is moderate, 8 grams per litre.
One sign that 2015 would be an excellent year was the remarkable weather. Blazing hot sunshine was moderated by rain showers and Bollinger’s expertise. Harvest began on September 4th and was of a very high quality. Compact bunches of small berries and quite high levels of acidity.
La Grande Année 2015 is the definition of a gastronomic champagne. To highlight its unique style and aromas, we recommend you serve this wine between 8 and 10°C. You can enjoy La Grande Année 2015 right away or choose to age it further in a cellar.
