Champagne Bollinger & Soenil Bahadoer: A Perfect Pairing.

Last year, Champagne Bollinger’s Dutch importer, Verbunt Verlinden, and Soenil Bahadoer, chef of the two-Michelin-starred Restaurant De Lindehof in Nuenen, hosted a memorable lunch featuring Bollinger’s R.D. 2008. This year, they delighted guests again with a celebration of Bollinger’s exquisite Champagne, the 2015 La Grande Année, offered by the glass, alongside the latest addition to the PN family, the PN VZ19.

Join us on a culinary journey into the vibrant world of Soenil Bahadoer’s imaginative cuisine, perfectly matched with Bollinger’s rich and complex Champagnes.

Bollinger’s Mastery of Terroir: La Grande Année and the PN Series

Bollinger’s unwavering dedication to excellence is reflected in both La Grande Année and the terroir-driven PN series. Each cuvée tells a story of climate, terroir, and winemaking mastery in Champagne. In this article, we explore the defining qualities of the 2015 La Grande Année and two standout cuvées from the PN series—PN AYC18 and PN VZ19—while recounting an exceptional dining experience at De Lindehof.

A Harmonious Pairing of Gastronomy and Champagne

At De Lindehof, Soenil Bahadoer crafted a menu designed to highlight the interplay between Bollinger’s Champagnes and a range of sophisticated dishes. The culinary symphony, balancing flavors, textures, and ingredients, elevated both the food and the wine.

1st Course: Balfego Tuna Sashimi with Miso Ice Cream and Caviar

This delicate dish of Balfego Tuna Sashimi, miso ice cream, ginger gel, black garlic lacquer, and Anna Dutch caviar was paired with two elegant Bollinger Pinot Noir cuvées:

• PN VZ19: With notes of roasted almonds, ripe fruit, and spice, this rich cuvée perfectly matched the tuna’s umami depth.
• PN AYC18: Its mineral-driven complexity, with citrus and white peach notes, contrasted beautifully with the dish’s richness while enhancing the flavors of the black garlic and caviar.

2nd Course: Halibut with Aloo Gobi and Cauliflower Masala Foam

The halibut, served with aloo gobi, sweet and sour cauliflower, and cauliflower masala foam, brought a touch of Indian flavors to the meal. Two Bollinger Champagnes provided exceptional pairings:

• 2015 La Grande Année: Aromas of honey, brioche, and dried fruit harmonized with the halibut’s delicate flavors, complemented by the rich almond crumble.
• PN AYC18: Its floral and fruity elegance balanced the spices, offering a fresh, sophisticated lift.

3rd Course: Wagyu Beef with Pumpkin Rolleaux and Short Ribs

The bold flavors of Wagyu beef, paired with pumpkin rolleaux and short ribs, demanded a Champagne with depth:

• 2015 La Grande Année: Its refined structure and notes of nuts, herbs, and citrus were the perfect counterpart to the rich, succulent beef.

4th Course: Verveine Crèmeux with Rose and Pistachio Ice Cream

A visually stunning dessert of verveine crèmeux, rose crème pâtissier, pistachio ice cream, and gold leaf was paired with:

• Bollinger Special Cuvée Rosé: The lively fruitiness of strawberries and cherries, combined with subtle floral notes, beautifully echoed the dessert’s delicate flavors.

This dining experience highlighted Champagne Bollinger’s versatility in pairing with an array of flavors, from umami-rich tuna to fragrant spices and floral desserts. 

La Grande Année 2015: Climate and Craftsmanship

Champagne Bollinger’s 2015 La Grande Année, released in 2024, reflects both the challenges and opportunities of a changing climate in Champagne. Marked by a hot, dry growing season, the 2015 vintage produced highly concentrated grapes, resulting in a fuller-bodied Champagne with Bollinger’s signature richness.

For this vintage, Bollinger focused on 11 crus, predominantly Pinot Noir from Aÿ, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, and Verzenay, with a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. The wine was fermented in old oak barrels for six months, aged for seven years on its lees, and underwent a slow oxidation process, deepening its complexity while maintaining vibrancy.

Champagne Bollinger’s 2015 La Grande Année is nothing short of exceptional. Its unique qualities are detailed in our comprehensive review, where it was rewarded with a 96-point DWA score.

Bollinger’s PN Series: Pinot Noir’s Terroir Elegance

Bollinger’s PN series is a celebration of Pinot Noir’s diverse expressions across Champagne’s terroirs. The PN AYC18 and PN VZ19 offer unique interpretations of this grape:

• PN AYC18: Showcasing Aÿ’s terroir, this cuvée balances richness and minerality, with fresh citrus and layered complexity.
• PN VZ19: Highlighting Verzenay’s cooler climate and chalky soils, this Champagne presents tension, salinity, and remarkable freshness.

Champagne Bollinger’s PN Series offers a wonderful view on the house’s signature grape variety. The different expressions of Pinot Noir shine bright in both the PN AYC18 and VZ19. 

We detailed the two Blanc de Noir Champagnes in separate reviews, awarding the PN AYC18 a 94-point DWA score (review here) and the VZ19 a 95-point DWA score (review here).

A Testament to Bollinger’s Craftsmanship

Both La Grande Année 2015 and the PN series reflect Bollinger’s mastery of Pinot Noir, whether through the bold richness of La Grande Année or the terroir-specific elegance of the PN cuvées. Together, they offer wine lovers a dynamic and unparalleled experience that showcases the versatility of Pinot Noir and the artistry behind every bottle.

Now it’s your turn to enjoy these remarkable Champagnes, perfectly paired with Soenil Bahadoer’s extraordinary cuisine. For a limited time, La Grande Année is available by the glass—don’t miss this unique opportunity to savor these exceptional wines.

We thank Floris Verlinden and Freek van Dorsten of Verbunt Verlinden, Eva Gottesman of Champagne Bollinger and Chef Soenil Bahadoer and his team at De Lindehof for an excellent afternoon filled with pleasant conversations and craftsmanship. Picture credits: Captured by Gerlinde.

For more information on Bollinger’s R.D. Champagne click here to read our review of the R.D. 2008.