Bollinger : La Grande Année Rosé 2018

Characteristics and tasting advice for Bollinger’s La Grande Année Rosé 2018

Tasting

Appearance

With great finesse and beautiful brightness, the wine displays delicate pink and salmon hues.

Nose

The nose opens with a fresh and precise bouquet, combining strawberry, redcurrant and citrus with subtle notes of vineyard peach. A light menthol touch brings freshness and a distinctive character to the whole.

Palate

The palate is crisp and juicy, driven by charming small red berries with a lively and vibrant character. The finish, generous and expressive, lingers on notes of citrus zest and blood orange. A radiant and invigorating champagne that combines elegance and generosity.

Food and wine pairings

This rosé champagne pairs beautifully with raw or rare red meats, such as finely seasoned beef carpaccio, as well as citrus-based duck dishes. It also finds excellent harmony with premium shellfish like grilled lobster in sauce. On the cheese side, it pairs delightfully with aged cheeses of strong character, such as truffled Époisses or aged mimolette. For dessert, it will elegantly accompany roasted figs with honey or a generous black fruit marmalade.

Serving and cellaring

La Grande Année Rosé 2018 is best enjoyed between 50 and 54 °F. It can be appreciated now in all its freshness or cellared for a few years to allow its full complexity to develop.

A vibrant and radiant rosé champagne by Bollinger

The estate

Founded in 1829 in Aÿ, Bollinger is an independent, family-owned house. Faithful to its identity for nearly two centuries, it stands out for its deep attachment to pinot noir and its complete mastery of the production process, from vine to bottle. Official supplier to the British Crown thanks to the prestigious Royal Warrant held since 1884, Bollinger remains one of the absolute references in prestige champagne.

The vineyard

La Grande Année Rosé 2018 comes from a rigorous selection of 19 crus carefully chosen in Champagne. The pinot noir comes from the villages of Aÿ, Verzenay and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, while the chardonnay is selected from the terroirs of Avize, Chouilly and Cuis. The red wine included in the blend is made from grapes harvested from La Côte aux Enfants, an emblematic parcel owned by Bollinger, located in Aÿ.

Vinification and aging

The production of La Grande Année Rosé 2018 is based on very high-quality standards. Only the cuvée, meaning the juice from the first pressing, is used. Fermentation takes place entirely in small, old oak barrels, bringing depth and complexity to the wine. Riddling and disgorgement are carried out by hand, perpetuating the House’s traditional expertise. Aging is conducted under cork, with cellar maturation lasting more than twice as long as required by the appellation, ensuring remarkable maturity. With a dosage of 7 g/L, La Grande Année Rosé 2018 falls within the brut category.

Grape varieties

The blend of this rosé champagne is composed of 67% pinot noir and 33% chardonnay, with an additional 5% of red wine from the La Côte aux Enfants parcel.