Bollinger Champagne

This listing is a sparkling wine from Massachusetts, United States. The grape blend, dosage level, and production method are not given in the product details, so the tasting notes below describe what this style usually offers rather than a measured profile of this bottle. Sparkling wines in the traditional dry style typically show crisp green apple, pear, and citrus peel, with a toasty or bready note where the wine has spent time on its lees. Expect fine, persistent bubbles, high acidity, light to medium body, no tannin to speak of, and little or no oak influence. The finish in this style is usually clean and fairly dry. The high acidity and the carbonation make sparkling wine very flexible at the table. They cut through fried foods, so fried chicken, tempura, and potato chips all work well. Oysters, shrimp, and soft, creamy cheeses such as brie also pair well. Salty, rich appetizers like smoked salmon on blinis or buttery crackers are another good match. If the bottle turns out to carry a little sweetness, lean toward spicy takeout or fruit-based desserts. A very dry bottle suits salty and savory dishes better. Serve it well chilled, around 42 to 48°F. That means about three hours in the refrigerator, or 25 to 30 minutes in a bucket of ice and cold water. Colder than that mutes the aromas, and warmer tends to make the bubbles look coarse and the wine taste flat. Decanting is not needed and works against you, because it releases the carbonation. Open it gently by holding the cork and turning the bottle, not the cork, so it eases out with a soft sigh. For glassware, a tulip-shaped flute or a white wine glass with a slightly narrowed rim keeps the bubbles lively and still leaves room for the aromas to gather. Wide, shallow coupes let the aromas and carbonation escape too quickly. Unless you have information from the producer suggesting otherwise, treat this as a drink-now bottle. Most non-vintage sparkling wine is made to be enjoyed within a few years of release. Store it on its side in a cool, dark place until you chill it.