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Tyson Stelzer95 points
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Jancis Robinson17 points
- Variety Chardonnay / Pinot Noir
- Vintage NV
- Brand Bollinger
- Cellaring 1-3 Years
- Wine Type Sparkling
- Alcohol Percentage 12.0% Alcohol
Bollinger 'Special Cuvee' NV Champagne"Some 30 crus go into the blend (including a large proportion - 80% minimum - ..."$94.99 -
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Wine Spectator94 points
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The Wine Advoca94 points
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International W94 points
- Variety Chardonnay / Pinot Noir
- Vintage 2002
- Brand Bollinger
- Cellaring 15 Plus Years
- Wine Type Sparkling
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Wine Enthusiast95 points
- Variety Chardonnay / Pinot Noir
- Vintage 2008
- Brand Bollinger
- Cellaring 15 Plus Years
- Wine Type Sparkling
- Alcohol Percentage 12.0% Alcohol
Bollinger 'Grande Annee' 2008 Champagne"La Grande Année is the embodiment of the carefully preserved traditional expe..."$325.00 -
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Falstaff97 points
- Variety Chardonnay / Pinot Noir
- Vintage 2012
- Brand Bollinger
- Cellaring 15 Plus Years
- Wine Type Sparkling
- Alcohol Percentage 12.0% Alcohol
Bollinger 'Grande Annee' 2012 Champagne"La Grande Année is the embodiment of the carefully preserved traditional expe..."$274.99 -
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Antonio Galloni98 points
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Jeb Dunnuck97 points
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The Wine Advoca95 points
- Variety Chardonnay / Pinot Noir
- Vintage 2014
- Brand Bollinger
- Cellaring 15 Plus Years
- Wine Type Sparkling
- Alcohol Percentage 12.0% Alcohol
Bollinger 'Grande Annee' Champagne 2014"Bollinger La Grande Année 2014 is a vintage champagne from the Bollinger hous..."$279.99 -
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- Variety Pinot Noir
- Vintage 2011
- Brand Bollinger
- Cellaring 15 Plus Years
- Wine Type Sparkling
- Alcohol Percentage 12.5% Alcohol
Bollinger 007 Limited Edition 2011"To celebrate the release of the 25th Bond film, Champagne Bollinger has produ..."$319.99 -
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Wine Enthusiast96 points
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Vinous95 points
- Variety Chardonnay / Pinot Noir
- Vintage 2004
- Brand Bollinger
- Cellaring None
- Wine Type Sparkling
- Alcohol Percentage 12.0% Alcohol
Bollinger La Grande Annee 2004 Flutes Gfit Pack"Bollinger's 2004 Brut La Grand Année is a beautiful wine with a lot of vinta..."$349.99 -
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James Suckling99 points
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James Halliday98 points
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Huon Hooke98 points
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Antonio Galloni96 points
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Jancis Robinson19 points
- Variety Chardonnay / Pinot Noir
- Vintage 2002
- Brand Bollinger
- Cellaring 5-10 Years
- Wine Type Sparkling
- Alcohol Percentage 12.0% Alcohol
Bollinger R.D. 2002 Gift Box"Bollinger R.D. will enhance all gourmet cuisine but its aura is such that it ..."$429.99 -
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- Variety Pinot/Chardonnay
- Vintage NV
- Brand Bollinger
- Cellaring Ready, but will Keep
- Wine Type Sparkling
- Alcohol Percentage 12.0% Alcohol
Bollinger Rose Nv"62% Pinot Noir, 24% Chardonnay, 14% Meunier. Over 85% Grands and Premiers cru..."$125.00
Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine, is a type of wine that contains bubbles of carbon dioxide. The bubbles are created by a secondary fermentation process that occurs inside the bottle, which gives sparkling wine its characteristic effervescence. There are several different types of sparkling wine, including:
- Champagne: Champagne is a sparkling wine that is produced in the Champagne region of France using specific grape varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier) and winemaking methods. Champagne is known for its complexity and elegance, and it is often considered a luxury product. Click here if you wish to read more about what makes Champagne so special.
- Prosecco: Prosecco is a sparkling wine that is produced in the Veneto region of Italy, it is made from Glera grape variety. Prosecco is known for its fruity and floral aromas, and it is often considered a more affordable alternative to Champagne.
- Cava: Cava is a sparkling wine that is produced in Spain, it is made from the grape varieties Macabeo, Xarel·lo, and Parellada. Cava is known for its dryness and minerality, and it is often considered a good value alternative to Champagne.
Sparkling wine can also be made in other regions, such as England, Australia, and New Zealand. These sparkling wines are known for their fruit-forward flavors and have a wide range of styles, some are made using traditional method similar to Champagne, while others are made using the charmat method, where the secondary fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks.
Sparkling wines can vary in sweetness and dryness, the most common terms used are Brut, Extra Brut, Sec, Demi-Sec and Doux, which indicate the sweetness level. Brut is the driest, Extra Brut is the driest of all, Sec is a medium sweet, Demi-Sec is quite sweet and Doux is the sweetest.
Sparkling wine is created by:
- Grapes: Sparkling wine is typically made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes for Champagne, Glera for Prosecco and Macabeo, Xarel·lo, and Parellada for Cava.
First Fermentation: The grapes are harvested and then pressed to extract the juice. The juice is then fermented in stainless steel tanks or oak barrels, depending on the winemaker's preference. This process converts the sugar in the grapes into alcohol and carbon dioxide. - Secondary Fermentation: The wine is then bottled and a small amount of sugar and yeast is added, this is called the liqueur de tirage. The bottle is then sealed and stored in a cool and dark place, where the secondary fermentation takes place. This process is called the traditional method or Méthode Champenoise. The yeast consumes the added sugar and produces carbon dioxide, which dissolves into the wine, creating the bubbles.
- Aging: The wine is then aged for a period of time, usually several months to several years, depending on the style of sparkling wine. During this time, the yeast cells and sediment settle to the bottom of the bottle, and the wine takes on a more complex flavor and aroma.
- Riddling: The bottles are then placed in a special rack called a pupitre, where they are slowly turned and tilted over a period of several weeks. This process, called riddling, causes the sediment to collect in the neck of the bottle.
- Disgorging: The neck of the bottle is then frozen, and the frozen sediment (called the "lees") is removed by a process called disgorging. The bottle is then topped up with a small amount of wine and sugar, called the dosage, which determines the final sweetness level of the sparkling wine.
- Corking and Labeling: The bottle is then corked and labeled, and it is ready to be sold and enjoyed.
It's important to note that there is another method of making sparkling wine, it is called Charmat method, the secondary fermentation process occurs in a large stainless steel tank rather than in the individual bottles, after this process the wine is then bottled and ready for consumption, this method is faster and less expensive than the traditional method but it can produce less complex wines.
Sparkling wines are typically enjoyed as aperitif, or during special occasions such as weddings, New Year's Eve, and other celebrations. They can also be paired with a variety of foods, including seafood, fruit, and desserts.