Champagne has a cool, northerly climate with both oceanic and continental influences. Regular rainfall, cold winters and sunny summers help preserve the grapes’ natural acidity and freshness. Bollinger’s vineyards are largely situated on south to south-west facing slopes, providing optimal sunlight, warmth and drainage.

climate

soil

Bollinger Special Cuvée is made from grapes sourced from more than 85% Grand Cru and Premier Cru terroirs, originating from 7 vineyard sites across the Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs and Vallée de la Marne, including Aÿ, Verzenay, Louvois, Avenay-Val-d'Or, Tauxières, Épernay and Cuis. The subsoil consists predominantly of Champagne’s characteristic chalk, often covered by a layer of clay on the slopes. Chalk retains water and helps regulate the temperature around the roots, promoting even ripening and contributing to the wine’s distinctive minerality. Two historic plots in Aÿ that have never been affected by phylloxera , Clos Saint-Jacques and Chaudes Terres, are still cultivated using the traditional “provignage” method, with ungrafted vines, making them truly unique within the Champagne region.

vinification

Bollinger Special Cuvée is composed of approximately 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 15% Meunier. Part of the base wines is traditionally fermented in old oak barrels , Bollinger has around 4,000 barrels, some of them almost a century old, adding structure and complexity without imparting a pronounced oak flavour. A unique feature is the use of reserve wines from Bollinger’s “perpetual reserve” of more than one million magnums, in which wines are aged under cork for 7 to 15 years, bringing remarkable consistency and depth to the cuvée.Following the second fermentation in bottle, the Champagne is aged on its lees for at least three years, two to three times longer than the legal requirement. The dosage is 6 to 7 grams per litre. The result is the unmistakable Bollinger style: powerful, vinous and complex, with ripe fruit, brioche, toast and nutty notes, all balanced by refreshing acidity.