Just back from Champagne
Just got back from a couple of very pleasant days in Champagne, visiting Bollinger (above). With wonderful blue skies, it was fantastic to go for a walk in the vineyards of Ay (Grand Cru Pinot Noir) near the Bollinger HQ. We tasted the 2008 vins clairs, the Bollinger range, visited Ayala and ate very well. For starters, here are some pictures. More to come soon.
Bollinger vineyards in Grand Cru Ay. This is Pinot Noir.
What can you tell me about the rather unusual looking vineyard above?
All Bollinger's reserve wines are stored in Magnum; they have around 600 000 of these magnums in their cellars. When it comes to using them in the blend, someone has to uncork them and pour them in manually.
Labels: Champagne
posted by Jamie @ 7:52 PM
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9 Comments:
The vines seem quite wind-blown and the topsoil not particularly chalky...
They look like they haven't been planted that long ago.
Oh, and, what sort of things did they treat you with food and drink wise, Jamie?
The youth of the vines and the soil (and the fact that there's meant to be something unusual) make me want to suggest that this is one of the three Vieilles Vignes Françaises vineyards, specifically the one which was partially affected by phylloxera a few years ago.
poor chap--hope you have recovered by now and can get back to tasting wine.
ungrafted pre Phylloxera vineyard planted en foule
only know because I was there myself a few weeks ago...
great house to visit -
Gavin, close - anon, correct! Yes, this is one of the plots of the Pinot Noir that goes into Vielles Vignes Francaises. Vines are layered into the ground and three buds of last years cane is all that's left above ground. So they aren't really old vines in this sense at all.
What strikes me about the Pinot photo is that the canes are so big...must be a lot of vigour in those vines. Root stock selection must be a factor.
Hello Jamie. How did you get a tour of Bollinger? We are planning a trip to the champagne region and would like to visit Bollinger. We've heard you need an invitation or to be part of an organized tour. Is this correct? Thanks.
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