Ed Rasimus wrote:

Noting the discussion regarding isolated pockets of resistant vines, I
saw a piece on TV a few months ago that pointed out that Bollinger was
the last of the Champagne region growers that had original rootstock,
phylloxera-resistant vines. Must be why I love Bollie so much.


The wine made from grapes from ungrafted vines that Bollinger sells is
called Vieilles Vignes Francaises, and the grapes are Pinot Noir. The
1996 is supposed to be a good vintage for it.Only a small amount is
produced, and this wine can be difficult to find and very expensive. So
far as I know, this is the only wine from ungrafted vines that
Bollinger sells. However, I guess that in a year that is not up to
their standards, they might put this wine in a non-vintage blend, but I
have no information that they have done so. The only vintage of the old
vine wine I have had is the 1973. It is a rather big wine, but it is
somewhat difficult to compare with other Champagne since it is made
from Pinot Noir only, and many other top Champagnes are blends of wine
from more than one variety of grape.