Champagne Vieilles Vignes Francaises AOC Millesime - Maison Bollinger
The Brut Champagne "Vieilles Vignes Françaises" is a prestigious sparkling wine produced by Bollinger using exclusively Pinot Noir grapes from old vines located in the Ay area, one of the historic producing villages of this wine. Fermentation takes place exclusively in tonneaux; a long aging allows this champagne to express complex, unique, and elegant flavors and aromas.
Type: Champagne
Appellation: Champagne AOC
Origin: Champagne - France
Grape varieties: Pinot Noir 68% - Chardonnay 32%
Alcohol Content: 12%
Format: 75cl with Gift Box
Allergens: Sulphites
Glass: Flute
Serving temperature: 10°C
Tasting Notes: In the glass, it displays an unusual yet elegant salmon pink with orange highlights. The nose is stunning, with hints of currant and almond harmonizing with spicy, toasted nuances. There are evident aromas reminiscent of the great Pinot Noirs of Burgundy. On the palate, it is nothing short of surprising: the vinosity combines with a delightful freshness, and the flavors recall cherries and toasted bread.
Pairings: It pairs well with oriental or exotic cuisine and is especially well-suited to elaborate game dishes. It's especially good with duck fillet.
The Winery: In Ay, one of the historic villages in the heart of the French Champagne region, lies the Maison Bollinger, founded in 1829 by Athanase Louis Emmanuel, Count of Villermont, who joined forces with the German Joseph Bollinger and wine enthusiast Paul Ranaudin. Over the years, after successfully establishing his sparkling wines, especially in the English and American markets, it was Joseph Bollinger who became the Maison's symbol. Today, universally recognized for the exceptional quality of its wines, the winery, thanks to the privileged location of its estate-owned vineyards and a strict production ethic, even enshrined in written principles, has enjoyed international recognition for years. To give an example of the strict rules followed by the company, suffice it to say that only the must from the first pressing is used to produce Champagne, while all the juice from the second pressing is sold to other wineries. The house currently boasts a vineyard area spanning over 160 hectares, most of which are located between the Reims mountains and the Ay region. Classified as Grand Cru for over half, and Premier Cru for the remainder, the vineyards are meticulously tended, ensuring the vines grow with full respect for the environment and ecosystem. Besides Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, Pinot Noir is the primary grape variety at the heart of the house's blends. Expertly using this variety, the house manages to imbue its Champagnes with richness, vinosity, and roundness. From the Brut "Special Cuvée" to the Extra Brut "RD," from Rosé to vintages, all Bollinger-labeled Champagnes mature for three to eight years in the historic aging cellars, composed of kilometers of tunnels—far longer than required by the regulations—ensuring the perfect development of aromas and always expressing the greatest possible balance.
