Winemaking
La Grande Annee is Bollinger's Prestige Cuvee and is only produced when exceptional vintages occur. The grapes come exclusively from Grands and Premiers Crus. For this 1997 vintage, wine from 16 villages has been included, 75% from Grand Crus and 25% from Premier Crus. Bollinger use only the 'cuvee' juice in the making of La Grande Annee.
The first fermentation is always carried out 100% in old oak barrels, which has become quite unique in Champagne. The Cru's are fermented in small oak barrels which enables a rigorous selection. Bollinger uses only old barrels (5 years and more) in order to generate neither an oaky taste nor tannins. This method re-inforces the aromatic complexity and the ageing potential of the wines. Once the wine is bottled the second fermentation and cellar ageing are conducted under natural cork. This method, nowadays very seldom used in Champagne, is a guarantee of freshness. It allows the aromas to preserve all their bouquet. La Grande Annee then ages in the cellars for at least 5 years. After Manual riddling and disgorging, La Grande Annee rests for a minimum of 3 months prior to shipment.
Glass closure
Screw cap
Biodynamically produced
Organically produced
Vegetarian
Vegan
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