Today we present one of the iconic houses in Champagne. Bollinger was first founded in 1829 in Ay by Hennequin de Villermont, Paul Renaudin and Jacques Bollinger. Today the house continues to be run by members of the Bollinger family. This estate has been particularly popular in Britain as Bollinger Champagnes have been come to be known as “Bolly”. It is quite amazing that Bollinger dates back to 1585 when the Hennequins, one of the Bollinger founding families, owned land nearby. Before the Bollinger house was founded, in the 18th century the Villermont family made wine and then in 1750, Villermont settled in the location 16 rue Jules Lobet, which would eventually become the head office for Bollinger.
In 1803 Jacques Joseph Placide Bollinger was born in modern day Germany and after moving to the Champagne region he started work at the Champagne house of Muller Ruinart. In 1829 he partnered with Hennequin de Villermont, Paul Levieux Renaudin to form Bollinger in Ay, France. The partners agreed that the Villermont name would not be used on the labels, hence the house name Renaudin Bollinger. Starting when Jacques Bollinger married Charlotte de Villermont, the house has been managed by the Bollinger family. Even though Paul Renaudin passed without an heir to his name, the label did not become solely Bollinger until the 1960s. Founder Jacques had two sons Joseph and Georges that were important in expanding the family estate by purchasing vineyards in nearby villages. The sons also developed the image of the brand, such as when Bollinger received a Royal Warrant in 1884 from Queen Victoria which still appears on their label.
Following the death of Jacques Bollinger in 1941, Lily Bollinger took over the brand and expanded production considerably. 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 leading the Commission of Champagne for 10 years. Bollinger has had roles in many James Bond films, including the 1973 film Live and Let Die where Bond asks for a bottle of Bollinger entering his hotel. In the 1985 film A View to a Kill James Bond notes that his champagne is ‘Bollinger 1975.’
There are a brilliant range of champagnes that Bollinger produces and they might be best known for their ‘Special Cuvee’ Champagne that is Pinot Noir dominant and includes reserve wines that are up to fifteen years of age. I loved the new NV Bollinger ‘Special Cuvee’ Champagne (OB, 92) which is soft and round with good weight. Even better is the incredible 2018 Bollinger ‘PN AYC 18’ Blanc de Noirs (OB, 95) which is a total stunner and shows fabulous weight and good underlying verve. Learn more about this famed Champagne house at https://www.champagne-bollinger.com Here are my reviews of the beautiful new releases by Champagne Bollinger.
NV Champagne Bollinger ‘Special Cuvee’ Champagne- The NV ‘Special Cuvee’ is a compelling blend of 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier that was sourced from mainly Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards. This is broad-shouldered and rich showing pie crust and baking spices alongside shades of juicy pear and peach notes on the nose. The palate is rich and viscous with serious underlying verve and a silky mousse. Delicious now, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 92
2018 Champagne Bollinger ‘PN AYC 18’ Blanc de Noirs- This outstanding 2018 Blanc de Noirs is a beautiful melange of wines and vintages, mainly coming from the village of Ay. Ripe strawberry and red raspberry notes combine with salted green melon and nutty accents on the palate. Rich and layered, this is drinking beautifully right now — and will continue to cellar well for another fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2039- 95