Bollinger

If there is one drink as closely associated with 007 as the "vodka martini", it is champagne and, as it is New Years, this seems to be a fitting drink to discuss.  The champagne James Bond most frequently chooses, at least in the films, is Bollinger which first appeared in the novel Diamonds are Forever and in the film version of Live and Let Die but it only became the official champagne of 007 in the credits of the film version of Moonraker.

The vintages James Bond enjoys are, not surprisingly, prohibitively expensive and, in most cases unavailable today.   Thanks, probably, to the world wide economic crisis we are currently experiencing, champagne manufacturers are now producing lower cost non-vintage releases in addition to their standard products to make this a luxury item the common man can afford and Bollinger is no exception. 

The champagne we reviewed was one of these non-vintage releases, specifically: Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut.  While this was a non-vintage release, that is to say, a blend of various vintages meant to bring out the best traits of them all in a single, consistent and affordable package, this wine was anything but inexpensive or common. The overall experience of this champagne, from the solid gold color and the very tightly constructed bubbles to the exceptionally light, yet creamy mouth feel and notes of pear, apple and bread, was one (or many) of sophistication and restraint.  Every note is balanced, every sip seems to evaporate off the tongue with a gently tart finish, leaving the palate refreshed and uncluttered.  The overall experience is one of true elegance.

While most of us will never be able to taste one of the exact vintages of Bollinger that 007 enjoys, I thought it would be fun to list the books and films where Bollinger appears.

The Novels
Diamonds are Forever - Tiffany Case sends a quarter bottle to Bond's cabin on the Queen Elizabeth.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service - James Bond finds Tracy in the casino bar with half a bottle of Bollinger in front of her.  The vintage is not specified.

The Films
Live and Let Die: vintage not specified
Moonraker: Bollinger RD '69
The Living Daylights: vintage not specified
License to Kill: Bollinger RD '75
Goldeneye: Bollinger Grande Année 1988
Tomorrow Never Dies: Bollinger Grande Année 1989
The World Is Not Enough: Bollinger Grande Année 1990
Die Another Day: Bollinger '61
Casino Royale: Bollinger Grande Année 1990
Quantum of Solace: vintage not specified
Skyfall: unknown

Special thanks to my two lovely, sequined clad research assistants for evaluating this lovely beverage.

Madame Lily Bollinger's wise words on the subject of her champagne were these:
"I drink when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty."