Bollinger Special Cuvée is the emblematic Champagne of Maison Bollinger, a distinguished expression of the House's signature depth, refinement and aromatic complexity.

Created through the meticulous blending of wines from several harvests, with a majority of reserve wines, Special Cuvée exemplifies Bollinger's expertise in maintaining an exceptional consistency of style and quality from year to year.

Pinot Noir forms the backbone of the assemblage, contributing richness, structure and vinosity, while Chardonnay provides freshness and elegance, and Meunier adds fruit expression and balance.

With its finely textured bubbles, generous fruit character, distinctive brioche notes and elegant persistence, Special Cuvée offers a harmonious combination of power and finesse.

It is a Champagne equally suited to memorable celebrations, fine dining and the simple pleasure of sharing something exceptional.

The name Special Cuvée dates to 1911, when the British agent of Georges Bollinger suggested replacing the conventional designation of non-vintage Brut with a name more fitting for a Champagne of such distinction.

The deliberately English spelling of Special Cuvée reflects this historical connection and has remained central to the identity of the wine for more than a century.

Today, it remains the signature expression of Champagne Bollinger, demonstrating the Maison's ability to reproduce its unmistakable style through successive harvests and generations of winemaking expertise.

• Pinot Noir — 60%: The dominant grape variety, contributing structure, depth, body and the characteristic vinous expression of Bollinger.
• Chardonnay — 25%: Provides freshness, elegance and balance.
• Meunier — 15%: Complements the assemblage with fruit character and roundness.

More than 85% of the blend comes from Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards.

The assemblage brings together wines from several harvests, with reserve wines forming the majority of the composition. This extensive use of mature reserve wines is instrumental in achieving the Champagne's characteristic complexity, structure and consistency.

One of the defining features of Special Cuvée is its substantial proportion of reserve wines, some of which are preserved in magnums for between seven and fifteen years.

This distinctive method of reserve-wine maturation enables Bollinger to retain wines with remarkable aromatic development and use them to enrich the character of future assemblages.

Special Cuvée also undergoes prolonged maturation in the House's cellars, with ageing exceeding twice the minimum period prescribed by Champagne appellation regulations. Bollinger identifies a minimum ageing period of three years for Special Cuvée.

The combination of carefully selected reserve wines and extended cellar maturation contributes to the Champagne's depth, complexity, fine mousse and harmonious balance between richness and freshness.

Its dosage is moderate, at approximately 7–8 grams per litre, according to the Maison's English-language product specifications.

Appearance: A beautiful golden colour reflecting the influence of black grape varieties, accompanied by exceptionally fine bubbles.

Nose: Complex and expressive, revealing ripe fruit, delicate spice, roasted apple, fruit compote and peach.

Palate: A refined interplay of structure, length and vivacity, with a velvety mousse and elegant flavours of pear, brioche, spice and fresh walnut.

Texture: Fine, creamy and enveloping, combining substance with freshness.

Overall Character: A richly layered and beautifully balanced Champagne distinguished by aromatic complexity, vinous depth and an enduring sense of elegance.

James Suckling — 93/100

Recognises the Champagne's generous creaminess and substantial, powerful structure.

Revue des Vins de France — 91/100

Highlights its expressive Pinot Noir-led aromatics, red-fruit character, vinous structure and generous palate.

These professional assessments reflect the depth, texture and distinctive character that have established Special Cuvée as a benchmark of the Bollinger style.

Champagne Bollinger's identity is rooted in its exceptional vineyards and its longstanding dedication to Pinot Noir.

The Maison's estate vineyards extend across prestigious Champagne crus, including Aÿ, Avenay, Tauxières, Louvois, Verzenay, Cuis and Champvoisy.

Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and the historic vineyards surrounding Aÿ is particularly important to the House's wine style, delivering the finesse, depth and body that distinguish its Champagnes.

Special Cuvée's significant proportion of Grand Cru and Premier Cru fruit reinforces its combination of structure, elegance and aromatic expression.

Serving Temperature: Bollinger recommends serving Special Cuvée between 8°C and 10°C, with approximately 10°C ideal for expressing the wine's aromatic complexity.

Glassware: A tulip-shaped Champagne glass or a tall white wine glass with a narrower rim is recommended to concentrate the aromas and showcase the fine bubbles.

Chilling: Place the bottle in an ice bucket containing equal portions of ice and water approximately 30 minutes before serving.

Storage Temperature: Maintain a stable cellar temperature between 10°C and 15°C, avoiding sudden temperature changes.

Storage Conditions: Keep bottles protected from light, excessive vibration and fluctuating temperatures. Bollinger recommends cellar humidity of approximately 60–80%.

Cellaring Potential: Special Cuvée may be enjoyed upon release or allowed to develop further under suitable cellar conditions.

After Opening: Seal with a Champagne-specific airtight stopper and refrigerate. Bollinger advises that opened Champagne may be preserved for up to 48 hours under these conditions.

Truffled Scallop Carpaccio

Champagne Bollinger presents scallop carpaccio with truffles as a signature pairing for Special Cuvée.

The delicate sweetness of scallops and the earthy complexity of truffles complement the Champagne's refined fruit, creamy texture and layered savoury aromas.

• Fresh Seafood: Oysters, lobster, scallops and delicately prepared prawns.
• Poultry: Roast chicken, duck breast and poultry served with light cream or mushroom sauces.
• Truffle and Mushroom Dishes: Truffle risotto, wild mushroom pasta and creamy mushroom preparations.
• Cheese: Aged Comté, Gruyère and other savoury cheeses with balanced intensity.
• Elegant Canapés: Smoked salmon blinis, savoury tartlets and refined seafood appetisers.

The Champagne's generous Pinot Noir character and fresh acidity allow it to accompany a wider range of dishes than a particularly delicate aperitif-style Champagne.

• Producer: Champagne Bollinger
• Cuvée: Special Cuvée
• Classification: Non-Vintage Brut Champagne
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Region: Champagne, France
• House Location: Aÿ, France
• Wine Colour: White
• Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier
• Grape Composition: 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier
• Grand Cru and Premier Cru Proportion: More than 85%
• Reserve Wines: Majority of the assemblage
• Reserve Wine Maturation: Some preserved in magnums for 7–15 years
• Cellar Ageing: More than twice the appellation minimum; at least three years
• Dosage: Approximately 7–8 g/L
• Recommended Serving Temperature: 8–10°C
• Allergen Information: Contains sulphites

Founded in 1829 in Aÿ, Champagne Bollinger is one of Champagne's historic family Houses, recognised internationally for its powerful, refined and complex wines.

The Maison's distinctive identity is founded on the importance of Pinot Noir, exceptional vineyard holdings, traditional winemaking craftsmanship, the use of mature reserve wines and extended cellar ageing.

Its commitment to preserving traditional expertise includes its historic cooperage and the maintenance of an extraordinary collection of reserve wines held in magnums.

Special Cuvée represents the most recognisable expression of these principles, capturing the unmistakable Bollinger style through its balance of fruit intensity, vinous structure and elegance.

Bollinger Special Cuvée is a compelling example of how a non-vintage Champagne can offer remarkable depth, sophistication and individuality.

Its Pinot Noir-dominant assemblage, exceptional proportion of mature reserve wines and prolonged cellar ageing create a Champagne with greater richness and dimension than many lighter expressions of Brut Champagne.

We particularly appreciate its combination of ripe fruit, brioche, delicate spice and velvety bubbles, together with its versatility at the dining table.

An enduring classic from one of Champagne's most respected Houses, Special Cuvée embodies the craftsmanship, heritage and distinctive character that define the Barrels & Beyond PH Fine Wine Collection.