Casino Royale extends lengthy Bond-Bollinger Partnership

26-Oct-2006 • Casino Royale

Adding another installment to one of the most enduring marketing partnerships in motion picture history, Champagne Bollinger will again be featured in a James Bond movie -- the upcoming Casino Royale, in theaters November 17, 2006 from Columbia Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.

The partnership marks the 10th Bond film in which Champagne Bollinger has been featured as 007's Champagne of choice, beginning with Moonraker in 1979.

William Terlato, President and Chief Executive Officer of Paterno Wines International, the exclusive importer of Champagne Bollinger for the United States says, "We believe that this collaboration is the longest-running brand marketing partnership in film industry history."

The relationship began when the Broccoli-Wilson family, producers of the Bond films, sought a wine to match
Bond's impeccable taste and refined personality. Not surprisingly, they chose Champagne Bollinger, long acknowledged as one of the world's finest Champagnes. A mutual friendship developed between the Broccoli-Wilson family and the Bollinger family, and Champagne Bollinger has remained a Bond favorite even as the torch has been passed from Roger Moore to Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and now Daniel Craig.

Daniel Craig stars as "007" James Bond, the smoothest, sexiest, most lethal agent on Her Majesty's Secret Service in Casino Royale. Based on the first Bond book written by Ian Fleming, the story recounts the making of the world's greatest secret agent. Martin Campbell is directing the 21st adventure in the 44-year-old franchise, from a screenplay by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and Paul Haggis.

James Bond's first "007" mission leads him to Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), banker to the world's terrorists. In order to stop him, and bring down the terrorist network, Bond must beat Le Chiffre in a high-stakes poker game at Casino Royale. Bond is initially annoyed when a beautiful British Treasury official, Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) is assigned to deliver his stake for the game and watch over the government's money. As Bond and Vesper survive a series of lethal attacks by Le Chiffre and his henchmen, a mutual attraction develops leading them both into further danger and events that will shape Bond's life forever.

"Movie audiences make the connection between a character they admire and the drink he enjoys, Champagne Bollinger," says Etienne Bizot, managing director of Societe Jacques Bollinger, the family holding company for Champagne Bollinger. "This kind of high-impact exposure will help us to continue to expand awareness, sales and distribution worldwide."

The James Bond film series is the longest running of all time, grossing more than $2.1 billion in theatrical earnings globally.

Founded in 1829, Champagne Bollinger introduced the world to an instantly recognizable, dry, toasty style that connoisseurs around the globe covet. Six generations of the Bollinger family have maintained the trademark style of their namesake Champagne and it is one of a few remaining Grande Marque houses owned, controlled and managed by the same family since its founding.

Bollinger relies on its own estate for more than 60 percent of its grape requirements, including the Pinot Noir that gives its Champagne much of its distinctive strength and structure. Bollinger is one of a select few houses that can control the quality of its grape supply so carefully. Bollinger is renowned for its use of traditional methods that include extensive use of Pinot Noir, individual vinification of each marc and cru, barrel fermentation and extra-aging of all of its Champagnes on the lees prior to disgorgement.

Thanks to `Houman` for the alert.