Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut

The Special Cuvée Brut is produced in the Maison Bollinger, founded by Joseph Bollinger and Paul Renaudin in 1829. The estate was entrusted to the two by Athanase, who inherited the land and sensed the winemaking potential of the Champagne region but, as an aristocrat, could not dedicate himself to commerce. The close-knit duo carried the company forward, making it gain fame and expanding the vineyards. The estate’s revival, however, occurred when Jacques, Joseph’s nephew, and his cousins managed to export the brand across the Channel, always maintaining the powerful family bond that guides them. Today the company, with its 178 hectares, is mainly cultivated with Grand Cru vines, with only 15% Premier Cru, with 60% of the land dedicated to the production of Pinot Noir, a percentage that will represent the blend with which it is produced the Special Cuvée.

The Special Cuvée, produced since 1911, represents the soul and dedication of the estate, produced with a blend of 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and the remaining part Meunier. The name Special Cuvée comes from an idea of a British agent who thought the term Special was more appropriate than “Brut sans année” which seemed too rough. More 85% of the grapes come from Grand Cru grape varieties, while the remainder are Premier Cru. In the cellar, the quality and attention to detail is maximum, the primary fermentation takes place in small steel and wooden barrels, where the must remains until spring in the underground walls made of chalk. The Champagne Special Cuvée ages in the bottle for 3 years and in this long period of time the wine acquires delicate aromas, a soft consistency and great aging even for many years after disgorgement.