About Bollinger La Grande Année
- Style
- Sparkling
- Grape Varieties
- Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
- Price Range
- $180-260 depending on vintage
- reference conversion from average US retail price
- Alcohol
- 12%
La Grande Année is Bollinger's vintage prestige cuvée, produced only in exceptional years from a blend of Grand and Premier Cru fruit (roughly 60-65% Pinot Noir, 35-40% Chardonnay depending on vintage). It is entirely fermented in old oak barrels (around 20 years old) rather than steel, then aged under cork on its lees for at least eight years — more than twice the appellation minimum — giving it exceptional complexity, aging potential, and a signature toasted, mineral character alongside stone-fruit and dried-fruit notes.
La Grande Année is what Champagne tastes like when a house refuses to compromise on barrel fermentation and extended aging — it rewards patience more than almost any other vintage Champagne on the market.
New to wine?
If you want to understand what a great vintage Champagne can be, this is the benchmark to start with — rich, complex, but still balanced enough to enjoy without deep wine knowledge.
Food Pairings
Its creamy effervescence and structure pair beautifully with meat dishes, mushrooms, nuts, and red berries. Bollinger is often cited as one of the best food-pairing Champagne houses, and La Grande Année is the clearest expression of that reputation.
When to drink it
Milestone celebrations, fine dining, and gifts for serious wine lovers.
Terroir & Winemaking
Produced only in declared vintage years from Grand and Premier Cru plots. Fermented entirely in oak barrels roughly 20 years old, aged under natural cork for 8+ years on lees. Blend typically around 60-65% Pinot Noir, 35-40% Chardonnay, sourced mainly from Verzenay, Aÿ, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Chouilly, and Avize.
About the producer
BollingerThe epitome of Pinot Noir-driven, barrel-aged Champagne excellence.Visit the producer page →More wines from Bollinger
- Bollinger La Grande Année RoséSparkling · Pinot Noir · Chardonnay
- Bollinger R.D.Sparkling · Pinot Noir · Chardonnay
- Bollinger RoséSparkling · Pinot Noir · Chardonnay · Pinot Meunier
- Bollinger Special CuvéeSparkling · Pinot Noir · Chardonnay · Pinot Meunier
- Bollinger Vieilles Vignes FrançaisesSparkling · Pinot Noir
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is La Grande Année made every year?
- No, it is only produced in years Bollinger declares as exceptional vintages, using exclusively Grand and Premier Cru fruit.
- Why is oak fermentation important for La Grande Année?
- Fermenting entirely in barrels roughly 20 years old allows gentle micro-oxygenation, developing complex aromas and extending the wine's aging potential compared to steel-tank fermentation.
- How long can La Grande Année be aged?
- It can be enjoyed on release, but many vintages continue to develop for 12-15+ years or longer in good cellar conditions.
- What food pairs best with La Grande Année?
- Meat dishes, mushrooms, nuts, and red berries; in a Japanese context, dishes with concentrated umami such as sukiyaki or duck hotpot work particularly well.
Want to know more about this wine?
Ask Vinami's sommelier — no intimidation, just answers.
Talk to the Sommelier