Champagne Bollinger has adopted the design of a very old bottle found in the cellar which dates back to 1846. The diameter of the neck is reduced from 29 mm to 26 mm, compensated for by an increase in the diameter of the base from 85 mm to 93 mm. It mimics the ratio of the neck diameter to the base diameter of a magnum, and no one doubts for one second that a magnum performs far better over time than a bottle. Mathieu Kauffmann, Cellar Master of Bollinger, explains: ‘The idea in using the curved shape of this old bottle was to aim for the perfect balance of a “small magnum” with curves more pleasing to the eye than those on the standard bottle. In addition to aesthetic reasons, using the shape of this new bottle, which is more like a magnum with a narrower neck ad wider base, should very slightly slow down the oxygen exchange and therefore give a better quality wine.’
The ratio (neck diameter/base diameter) of the 1846 bottle is closer to the standard magnum than that of the standard bottle.
1846, a bottle specific to Champagne Bollinger, will thus be used for the whole range: Special Cuvée, the first bottles of which are now being launched, followed by La Grande Année, La Grande Année Rosé, Bollinger R.D. and Vieilles Vignes Françaises. La Côte aux Enfants will keep its traditional bottle.
The new bottle shape is also available in all four formats: half-bottle, bottle, magnum and jeroboam
The pictures and chart are interesting. Obviously, the adoption of the new bottle took place four years ago, as the Special Cuvee Brut arriving in August will be in the new bottle.
1 comment:
The French have always been known as connoisseurs of things curvaceous. The proof will be in the drinking.
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