Hand in Hand with Charles-Armand de Belenet

Hand in Hand with Charles-Armand de Belenet Bollinger Managing Director. Champagne Bollinger has a rich heritage rooted in craftsmanship and tradition. How would you describe the ethos that defines the house today?

Our ethos is rooted in rigorous attention to detail and a pursuit of excellence that has remained unchanged since our founding in 1829. Our Maison is defined by the ‘Bollinger Way’, a commitment to preserving artisanal skills. For us, that means vinifying in 4,000 oak barrels, some over a century old, maintaining the last resident Cooper in Champagne and still riddling and disgorging our vintage cuvées by hand. We are incredibly proud of our two plots, Clos Saint-Jacques and Chaudes Terres, among the very few in the region to have never succumbed to phylloxera. To preserve this heritage, we continue to tend these ungrafted vines by hand using provignage, an ancestral layering technique rarely seen elsewhere.

Bollinger is known for its uncompromising approach to quality. Why is maintaining this philosophy so important in an ever-evolving luxury market?

In a market that is constantly shifting, authenticity has become the hallmark of luxury. We never compromise on our signature house style, the richness and complexity born from Pinot Noir, vinifying in oak barrels, our library of reserve magnums and long ageing. Staying consistent with our roots is about building lasting trust.

Hospitality and Champagne are naturally intertwined. What does Champagne Bollinger look for when choosing hotel partners?

We look for partners who share our attention to the finer details and have a genuine respect for heritage and nature. We gravitate towards those who understand that the splendour of a property is elevated by the integrity of what is served. Ultimately, it is about finding people who care as much about the guest journey as we do about our vines.

What appealed to you about working with Hand Picked Hotels, and how do you see the partnership enhancing the guest experience?

Hand Picked Hotels has a wonderful knack for taking history and making it feel vibrant, relevant and luxurious. By bringing Bollinger into these properties, we are adding a layer of French heritage to a quintessentially British stay. It is about creating moments where the setting and the wine work perfectly together.

Many of our guests are passionate about food and wine. What, for you, makes a Champagne moment truly memorable in a hospitality setting?

A memorable moment is not just about the bottle: it is about the story behind it. When a guest learns that the wine in their glass has been aged in barrels tended by a specialised cooper, or that it is the result of nearly two centuries of family ownership, the experience changes. It becomes a connection to history.

Bollinger is often associated with celebration, yet it is also wonderfully versatile. How do you like to see Bollinger enjoyed beyond the traditional toast?

While we are the Official Champagne of James Bond and a staple of celebrations, Bollinger is, at its heart, a gastronomic wine that belongs at the dinner table. 85% of our grapes come from Grand and Premier Crus and because our wines are Pinot Noir-driven with great structure, they pair beautifully with food. A great example is our vintage cuvée, La Grande Année, a Champagne aged in oak barrels for more than twice the appellation requirement.

Sustainability and responsible practices are increasingly important in hospitality. How is Champagne Bollinger addressing these considerations in the Champagne region?

Sustainability is central to our philosophy, with Bollinger being the first Champagne House awarded the Haute Valeur Environmentale certification. Obtaining our B Corp certification in 2023 was a milestone that reflects our commitment to the land and our people. As we approach our bicentenary in 2029, our focus is on ensuring our organic principles and artisanal skills are passed down so the House remains a force for good for the next 200 years.

From your perspective, what role does Champagne play in elevating an experience from enjoyable to exceptional?

Champagne is the ultimate signal of quality. Being awarded the Royal Warrant continuously for 140 years, most recently by His Majesty The King, speaks to the role Bollinger plays in the highest tiers of hospitality. It transforms a stay into a prestigious event, signalling that guests are experiencing the very best of what the region has to offer.

Looking ahead, how do you see tastes and expectations evolving among today’s luxury hotel guests when it comes to wine and Champagne?

Guests are becoming more discerning. They want authenticity in what they consume and to understand the story behind the brand. There is a move towards wines with real terroir and character and greater interest in the mastery behind the wine, the specifics of Pinot Noir or the nuances of a vintage. This inspired our PN series, 100% Pinot Noir wines, where each iteration offers a terroir-specific interpretation of the grape.