Following the harvest period, Bollinger’s decisions on blending don’t seem to be made before January. The blend for the Special Cuvée is an ideal version of the classic Champagne blend, the usage of the different grapes of a given year from quite a lot of crus, with the addition of older, reserve wines. This blend necessarily incorporates subtle variations each year while remaining consistent to a style. It is, subsequently, the hardest of all Bollinger to make. It contains the full expression of the Bollinger style and the House feels it will have to be judged on this – its benchmark wine.

The denomination Special Cuvée was once created in 1911. The idea came from William Folks, then partner of the illustrious London House of Mentzendorff. This great wine lover felt it was once an insult to simply call this great wine “non vintage”. The suggestion of naming it “Special Cuvée” was once immediately approved by Monsieur Bollinger.

A blend par excellence, the Special Cuvée is the purest expression of the Bollinger style; of its craftsmanship and its singular conception of what a champagne will have to be. It is, subsequently, on this wine that the House of Bollinger shows how it is different from other Champagne Houses, asserts its qualitative policy and by which it asks to be judged.

Madame Bollinger – “I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Once in a while I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I believe it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Differently I never touch it – unless I’m thirsty.”

“Cool, delicate briochey nose. Nice, rich fruit with honeyed undertones, reserve wine richness and texture. Complex, classy.”
Anthony Rose Decanter Magazine, 1 January 2008.
A powerful yet elegant, bone dry champagne with a high proportion of Pinot Noir giving a wonderfully biscuity nose, and flavours of citrus, nuts, figs and spice
Complex, muscular yet graceful with fine length and lovely maturity.
Ideal as an aperitif, or with fish and seafood