Lot presentation

Grande Année Brut Bollinger 2002

The wine

La Grande Année Rosé is another expression of La Grande Année Champagne, enhanced by the addition of a unique red wine produced from the legendary four-hectare plot La Côte Aux Enfants, exclusively cultivated by the Bollinger House. With a production of just a few thousand bottles every year, this unique red wine adds distinctiveness to this cuvée.
La Grande Année Rosé reflects the quintessence of Bollinger savoir-faire. Fermentation takes place entirely in oak barrels and the wine is aged, sealed with a natural cork, for more than twice the time required by the appellation. The delicate pink colour reveals indulgent and complex aromas of red fruit, candied fruit, honey and pastry. The palate is lively and full-bodied with a delicate hint of oiliness on the finish. In a rare nod to tradition, this exceptional cuvée is still hand-riddled and disgorged, preserving the Bollinger House ancestral craftsmanship.
For a perfect pairing, enjoy this remarkable Champagne with honey-glazed duck breast, smoked salmon, or a simple red berry fruit salad.

About the Producer Bollinger

“Before being a great Champagne, Bollinger is first and foremost a great wine”. It is undeniable, a Bollinger spirit actually exists. In the wines certainly, but also in Aÿ. The involvement and seriousness of the people involved in the design of these great wines closely contribute to their success. Bollinger is also one of the few rare Champagne houses to have remained as a family since its creation in 1829 until 2008. Maison Bollinger was founded by Athanase de Villermont who had inherited the vineyard of Champagne, Joseph Bollinger, a German merchant and Paul Renaudin, a Champagne native passionate about wine. The Bollinger and Villermont families united their fate at the same time as their profession with Joseph Bollinger’s marriage to Louise-Charlotte, Athanase’s daughter. Their children would in turn take over the reins. In 2008, Jérôme Philipon assumed leadership of the house, becoming the first outsider to the Bollinger family entrusted with preserving its cherished traditions. Today, under the stewardship of Charles-Armand de Belenet, that legacy continues to flourish.
There is a 180-hectare vineyard located, for more than 85%, in grands and premiers crus, which provides the majority of the grapes its needs. In 2023, the house proudly earned its B Corp certification, underscoring its commitment to sustainability. Among its vineyards are two historic parcels, untouched by phylloxera and cultivated using the age-old layering method of “marcottage”, which give rise to the rare and coveted Vieilles Vignes Françaises cuvée. One of the interesting facts about this maison is the preponderance of Pinot Noir which gives great flavour and strength to the champagnes. Another particularity of the maison is that part of the fermented reserve wines in wood is then conserved in magnums, with cork stoppers, for 7 to 15 years before being incorporated into the blend, helping to regulate the style and offer greater complexity.
The impressive range – from the iconic Special Cuvée and Côte des Enfants to the innovative R.D. – showcases Bollinger’s relentless pursuit of excellence and versatility in every bottle.