Sparkling Champagne Winter Revels For The Festive Season

Jancis Robinson has selected the Bollinger PN VZ16 as one or her Top Champagnes for the winter party season. She commented, “A very fine, pale pink wine in a series designed to be made from a single grape and a single village, in this case Pinot Noir from Verzenay. A worthy successor to the Bollinger PN VZ15.”

Champagne Bollinger B13 and Champagne Ayala Le Blanc de Blancs were both included in Calibre’s top Champagne and Sparkling Wines for Christmas. “On the nose, B13 is both rich and complex. There’s a fruitiness that immediately makes the mouth water, and a spicy hint to liven the fragrance and add a little zing. Once in the mouth, the fruity theme continues, with stone fruits cutting through and a hint of nuttiness and citrus rounding out the flavour. The finish has an incredibly subtle salty hint, but is velvety and smooth, thanks to the fine bubbles.”

“On the nose, Ayala Blanc de Blancs is fresh and fruity, with apple and peach in abundance. There is a subtle spice there too, enticing you in. On the tongue, the flavour opens out to reveal citrus and a honeyed sweetness, with just a hint of vanilla. It’s smooth and long in the finish, with a minerality you’d expect from a Champagne.”

Karen Krizanovich has written a piece for Civilian Global on all things Bollinger and Bond. She discusses the limited edition 007 Special Cuvee, the Bollinger limited edition Millesime 2011 vintage, as well as the Bollinger champagnes she tasted at the Champagne Show.