Sparkling Direct - Bollinger Grande Annee Vintage Rose

La Grande Annee Rose

Grande Annee Rose is a derivation from the blend of La Grande Annee and is only produced when exceptional quality vintages occur.
The grapes come exclusively from Grands and Premiers Crus. For this 1999 vintage, wine from 16 villages has been included. 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. At this stage the red wine from "La Cote Aux Enfants" is blended with the Grande Annee base wine in a proportion of 7 to 8%, which gives birth to La Grande Annee Rose. 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 graduate of freshness. It allows the aromas to preserve all their boquet. La Grande Annee Rose then ages in the cellars for at least 5 years. After Manual riddling and disgorging, La Grande Annee Rose rests for a minimum of 3 months prior to shipment.