Bollinger Special Cuvée Champagne Gift with Chococo Chocolate

Bollinger is the serious drinker's Champagne, and Special Cuvée is the wine that built that reputation. Where most houses lean on freshness, Bollinger leans on depth: the blend is led by Pinot Noir - at least 60% - and a large share is fermented in old oak barrels rather than steel, which is what gives the wine its richness and unmistakable house character.

The name goes back to 1911, when Bollinger's British agent suggested "Special Cuvée" - "special" spelled the English way, without an accent - feeling that "non-vintage brut" didn't do the wine justice. More than a century on, it's still the wine the house is known for, made largely from estate vineyards Bollinger has farmed since its founding in Aÿ in 1829.

The chocolate is a bar from Chococo, the independent Dorset chocolatier that has made everything by hand in small batches since 2002, using fresh local ingredients and single-origin chocolate, with over 140 fine food awards to its name. Choose the bar that suits the person you're giving it to.