March not solely noticed the primary spring flowers brightening the wet days but additionally the launch of the a lot anticipated 2015 classic of the celebrated La Grande Année champagne from the Home of Bollinger.
La Grande Année embodies the skilled craftsmanship handed from era to era throughout the Home of Bollinger. A part of what makes Bollinger so particular is that manufacturing stays a lot because it started, with the wine being completely vinified in small oak barrels. It’s the one Champagne Home to nonetheless make use of a resident cooper, with barrel ageing in outdated oak casks one of many Home’s most distinctive traits.
La Grande Année is aged on the lees for six months earlier than it’s riddled and disgorged by hand. The wine is then naturally aged beneath the cork — a course of solely Bollinger undertakes — for six to seven years.
Whereas the method of creating the wine is vital, the grapes are what makes every classic particular. Annually, the climate performs a significant position in fruit manufacturing, with refined variations mirrored within the flavour, sweetness and quantity of the fruits produced.
2015 was distinctive, with the proper mixture of blazing sunshine and average rainfall. A light winter melted right into a delightfully heat early spring, banishing fruit-damaging frosts. April noticed the best recorded ranges of sunshine for the month since 2007 and set the tone for the new, dry summer season that was to come back. With a last flurry of moist days in August earlier than the harvest started in early September, the superb-quality grapes, when blended with the Bollinger experience, created a daring, intense, and flavoursome classic.
“The looks of the grapes and the climate in 2015 clearly level to a really promising classic. And so we harvest, we make the wine, after which we wait seven lengthy years. Then it’s out of our palms,” mentioned Bollinger cellar grasp, Denis Bunner. “We relinquish our management and, at this time, give in to discovery. What a thrill! The style is well-rooted, earthy, highly effective, and concentrated. You’ll be able to style the sunshine, which is enhanced by the wooden.”
Bollinger La Grande Année 2015 Classic Tasted
As you launch the cork with a satisfying pop, you’ll discover heat summer season fruits like peach and pear, with hints of white flowers rising to greet you. As soon as on the palate, the fruits are joined by a contact of honey and tropical notes of mango and just a bit woody oak. The positive, gradual bubbles give a delightfully creamy mouthfeel, making it a lot too straightforward to drink. The end is lengthy and recent with a contact of minerality.
La Grande Année 2015 is a superbly balanced wine that’s wealthy and stylish and can preserve you coming again for extra. Bollinger may not be your on a regular basis go-to bottle, however when you’re in search of one thing actually particular to mark an event, then a bottle of La Grande Année 2015 could be an ideal pairing.
Bollinger La Grande Année 2015 is offered now
, with La Grande Année Rosé 2015 on account of be launched later within the 12 months.
Samantha gave up a background in worldwide enterprise to focus on travelling and journey. As completely happy Overlanding as she is enjoyable in five-star luxurious, Sam could make a memorable expertise out of any state of affairs, and normally does. Married in Las Vegas, she enjoys bourbon and avoids planning.
