France – Champagne Françoise BEDEL & Fils Vin Cent Bulles 2011

Domaine and vineyard

The Champagne Françoise BEDEL & Fils is a family owned wine estate located in the region of Champagne, more precisely in the small village of Crouttes-sur-Marne. The domaine belongs to the faily BEDEL since three generations and produces a vast selection of champagnes, following since 1998, the principles of biodynamic agriculture.

The vineyard are extended over an area of 8,40 hectares located across the two banks of Marne river, in the villages of Crouttes-Sur-Marne, Nanteuil-Sur- Marne, Charly-Sur-Marne e Villiers-Saint-Denis.

The terroir is clay-calcareous and alluvium-calcareous.

The grape varieties cultivated here are essentially Meunier (78%), Chardonnay (13%) e Pinot Nero (9%). The Meunier, in particular, is a supple, fruity varietal with an intense bouquet. Developing well over time, it gives the wine roundness and smoothness. 

The wine

The Champagne Françoise BEDEL & Fils Vin Cent Bulles 2011 is a wine 100% Pinot Meunier. The grapes ferment and mature 22 months on their lees. 80% of them stay in enameled tanks and 20% matures in tonneaux.

This wine is produced in very small quantities. The harvest 2011 gave just 940 bottles.

Tasting Note

Date	18 February 2016
Wine name	VIN CENT BULLES	Vintage	2011
Nation	France	Region	Champagne
AOC-DOC	Coteaux Champenois	Grape Varieties	100 % Pinot Meunier
Serving temperature	10-12° C	Alcohol	12
Price (in euro)	27,50	SO2 (in mg/l)	Nd

Visual Examination		Taste analysis
Limpidity	Cristal Clear	Body	Full
Color	Straw yellow	Balance	Balanced
Consistency	Scarcely consistent	Soft sensations	Dry
Effervescence	//	Hard sensations	Fresh – Quiet  tasty
		Flavors intensity	Quite Intense
Olfactory analysis		Flavours	Minerals, Brioches
Aroma intensity	Quite Intense
Complexity	Scarcely Complex	Finish/Persistence	Persistent
Quality	Quite Fine	Overall evaluations
Aromas	Minerals, Brioches	Development	Ready
		Harmony	Harmonious

Food and wine pairings

The wine is a perfect pairing for an aperitif. Anyway it can be also matched with white meats (e.g. chicken in champignon sauce).

It is a champagne. But without bubbles. In the olfactory analysis the wine looks like his “sparkling” cousin. Only during the tasting you can realize the difference. This peculiar aroma of brioche present both in the nose and in the mouth is the most interesting note to this tasting.

This wine is quite rare and very difficult to find (on his official website the producer doesn’t mention it). An interesting experience.

Official website: www.champagne-bedel.fr