One of the great historic houses in Champagne, Bollinger remains independently owned and operated. This Champagne house has an exceedingly rich history. Family-managed since 1889, Bollinger maintains more than 150 hectares of vineyards. They produce several labels of their Champagne, including the Vieilles Vignes Françaises, Grande Année and R.D. as well as the non-vintage Special Cuvée. Initially founded in 1829 by Hennequin de Villermont, Paul Renaudin and Jacques Bollinger, the champagne house has roots dating back to 1585 when the Hennequins, one of the Bollinger founding families, owned land in Cramant. In 1803 Jacques Joseph Placide Bollinger was born in Ellwangen, in the kingdom of Wurttemberg, in modern day western Germany. In 1822, he moved to the Champagne region and began work at the Champagne house of Muller Ruinart, which today no longer exists.
The Champagne house Renaudin Bollinger was founded on February 6, 1829 in Aÿ by Hennequin de Villermont, Paul Levieux Renaudin and Jacques Bollinger. Founder Jacques Joseph Bollinger married Charlotte de Villermont and their two sons Joseph and Georges would later take over Bollinger and began expanding the family estate by purchasing vineyards in nearby villages. The sons also developed the image of the brand, and the British began to take notice of these Champagnes — such as when Bollinger received a Royal Warrant in 1884 from Queen Victoria.
In 1918 Jacques Bollinger, the son of Georges, took over Bollinger. Jacques married Lily, who later took over Bollinger in 1941. Lily expanded production through the purchase of more vineyards, but is best known for traveling the world to promote the brand. Bollinger was modernized under the direction of Claude d'Hautefeuille, who acquired additional vineyards and developed the brand internationally. Since 1994, Ghislain de Mongolfier has managed Bollinger. A great-grandson of the founder, Mongolfier has also served as president of the Association Viticole Champenoise since 2004, after heading the Commission of Champagne for 10 years. Brilliantly, Bollinger has been well-marketed in numerous James Bond films including some of my favorites like Live and Let Die and a bottle of Bollinger during an epic car race during the start of Goldeneye.
I recently had a chance to review two Bollinger wines — one that was youthful and another that was highly vinous. I was very impressed with their new release non-vintage wine, the NV Champagne Bollinger ‘Special Cuvee’ Brut Champagne (WWB, 91) which is seriously good, with great musty tones and freshness. I had the opportunity to try the 2002 Champagne Bollinger ‘La Grand Annee’ Brut Champagne (WWB, 95) which showed even more earthy and musty terroir and great citrus and tree fruit flavors. This was a truly special bottle that I will not soon forget. Learn more about this special Champagne house at Here are the great Champagnes of Bollinger.
NV Champagne Bollinger ‘Special Cuvee’ Brut Champagne- The NV ‘Special Cuvee’ by Bollinger is a fantastic new release Champagne that has wonderful verve and energy. Marvelously textured the wine shows off toasty brioche and wild mushroom tertiary tones alongside a core of green apple and nutmeg flavors. This has the stuffing and energy to cellar for another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 91
2002 Champagne Bollinger ‘La Grand Annee’ Brut Champagne- This richly hued Champagne is a compelling blend of primarily Pinot Noir smaller portions Chardonnay. I absolutely adore where the 2002 ‘La Grand Annee’ is showing now at the eighteen year mark. For the price, this is up there with many of the great wines made from this stellar vintage in Champagne. Aromatically intense, the wine ranges from sourdough bread and lively Gravenstein apples to suggestions of honeydew melon and exotic spices that all take shape in the glass. The richness and tension of the wine is simply marvelous. Generous and round, the 2002 ‘La Grand Annee’ takes on nutmeg infused Challah bread and suggestions of Pink Lady apple with kumquat zest and shades of white truffle shavings on the palate. The long finish lingers on the tongue. Fully gratifying and absolutely singing at this stage in its development, the 2002 Bollinger ‘La Grand Annee’ will have another two decades to go in the cellar. Drink 2020-2038- 95