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Tasting Notes
Medium bodied with crisp acidity, the Bollinger Special Cuvée features attractive, ripe, honey apple followed by hints of nectarine, mineral, and ginger.
Body is the impression of a wines weight, density, or its ‘mouth-feel’. Some wines feel weighty, or full bodied, while others feel light bodied. Wine runs the gamut from light to full, with most falling somewhere in between.
ACIDITY
Low
Moderate
Balanced
Crisp
High
Acidity is a foundational component in wine. In fact, low acidity, or ‘flabby’ wine (as the term suggests) is a negative. You can sense acidity mainly on the sides of your tongue. Acidity generally ranges from balanced to high. Crisp acidity adds freshness, making your mouth water. Acidity is a necessary element and helps to balance other components.
SWEETNESS
Dry
Off Dry
Medium Dry
Medium Sweet
Very Sweet
Most wines are characterized as dry to off-dry, but there are some grape varietals, like Riesling, that run the gamut from dry to sweet. The tip of the tongue mainly detects sweetness, which is why it is often the primary characteristic detected. Sweetness is derived from residual sugar that did not ferment into alcohol.
ALCOHOL
12%
Alcohol is the by-product of fermentation. Differing grape varieties have differing potential alcohol levels, but regardless warmer areas result in riper grapes resulting in higher alcohol. Alcohol level is an objective number, but its affect on its palate impression is largely determined with how well integrated and balanced it is with other components.
Pinot Noir is arguably the most revered grape variety in the world with origins in Burgundy, France where the best expressions can still be found. Pinot Noir is not only a tough grape to grow, it also shows miniscule differences in terroir arguably more than any other grape variety. Stylistically, it is generally higher in acid and lower in tannin but can vary depending on the location, and winemaking technique. It is very versatile with food, and shows a range of flavor from red and black fruit, floral, spice, earth, and mineral qualities.
Chardonnay
25%Shar-do-NAY
Chardonnay may be the most versatile white wine grape, often seen as a blank canvas. It displays various flavors and aromas depending on where it is grown and more specifically, how it is made. It can range in Palate Character from Bright & Crisp to Rich & Full depending on the climate. It is also particularly malleable and highly affected by winemaking choices like as malolactic fermentation, lees stirring, barrel fermentation and ageing practices.
Meunier
15%MOON-Yere
Meunier, also known as Pinot Meunier, is a red grape variety primarily grown in the Champagne region of France, named for the flour-like appearance of its grape leaves. It is valued for its fruity profile, featuring flavors of red berries and plum, and its ability to add softness and approachability to Champagne blends.
Bollinger was established in 1829 and remains family managed to this day. While that is rare in Champagne, it is Bollinger’s meticulous approach and style that most notably sets them apart.
60% of Bollinger’s grapes come from their own vineyards, an unusually high percentage for large Champagne houses. Stylistically, the wine’s unique character is heavily influenced by using no less than 60% pinot noir and being 100% fermented in barrels made by their own cooperage. A bit of a misnomer, since they do not make new barrels, but recondition older barrels, some reaching the century mark!
Bollinger uniquely stores its reserve wines in magnums to be later blended into their non-vintage cuvées. This laborious process necessitates opening each magnum by hand to blend into the non-vintage wines, requiring a team of seven for a full month every year. The attention to detail pays dividends as the wines showcase a depth of flavor and creaminess that are keynotes of the house style.
Apple
Mineral
Honey
Sparkling
