Houses
Bollinger
A family-owned champagne house established in Aÿ in 1829, renowned for Pinot Noir–led cuvées matured long on the lees and partially fermented in oak.
- Founded
- 1829
- Location
- Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne, France
- Ownership
- ボランジェ家による家族経営（ソシエテ・ジャック・ボランジェ）
- Known for
- Pinot Noir–led style · Special Cuvée (NV) · La Grande Année (vintage) · R.D. (late-disgorged) · Vieilles Vignes Françaises (ungrafted Pinot)
- Official site
- www.champagne-bollinger.com
Style
Bollinger's house identity rests on four pillars: a high share of Pinot Noir (around 60% of blends), a dominant share of estate-grown fruit (the house farms roughly 180 hectares across grand and premier cru villages), primary fermentation in small oak barrels for the vintage and prestige cuvées, and long lees-ageing beyond AOC minima. The result is a structured, savoury style with noticeable oxidative complexity at maturity.
Cuvées
- Special Cuvée — the non-vintage flagship; around three years on the lees.
- Rosé — a blend finished with Aÿ still red wine.
- La Grande Année — the vintage, Pinot Noir–led.
- La Grande Année Rosé — vintage rosé with Côte aux Enfants still red.
- R.D. (Récemment Dégorgé) — La Grande Année re-released after extended lees ageing (typically 10+ years).
- Vieilles Vignes Françaises — a rare cuvée from two small parcels of ungrafted, pre-phylloxera Pinot Noir.
History
Founded in 1829 by Joseph Bollinger (originally Jacques Bollinger) in partnership with Paul Renaudin, the house has remained in the same family across six generations. Its modern profile was shaped largely by Madame Lily Bollinger, who ran the house from 1941 to 1971 and is remembered for her understated public persona and exacting house style.
Distinctions
Bollinger holds a Royal Warrant for supply to the British royal household and has been the on-screen champagne of the James Bond franchise since 1979.