Bouvet Saphir Brut is a superb vintage-dated sparkling wine of great elegance, with a fragrance of citrus and white fruits offset by notes of toast. These impressions are confirmed on the palate with full, refined fruit flavors set in a delicate, balanced structure. The clean, crisp finish is underscored by yeasty nuances and a lasting, effervescent freshness.

Wine maker notes

Bouvet Brut Saphir is an exceptional vintage-dated sparkling wine produced predominantly from Chenin Blanc grapes blended with a smaller proportion of Chardonnay from a single year's harvest. Bouvet-Ladubay's extensive production in its high quality non-vintage cuvées allows it consistent access to the production of Saumur's finest vineyards in each vintage. The yields from the best of these microclimates, delivered as grapes and pressed at Bouvet's facilities, are carefully evaluated in the most successful vintage years and set aside from the lots blended for non-vintage Bouvet Signature Brut. The base wines are vinified in computer-regulated, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve the delicate aromas and elegant fruit of the grape. The blenders, relying on talent, experience and technological support, select the wines to be assembled for this cuvée according to the elegance, complexity and balance each contributes to the finished wine. The second fermentation takes place in the traditional method developed by the champenois, in the bottle, following the addition of a small amount of sugar and yeast. The transformation from still wine to sparkling takes place in Bouvet-Ladubay's cool, moist cellars, where the bottles are automatically riddled on computer-calibrated "gyropallets," which duplicate the hand-riddling process in a slightly shorter span of time. At each step of production, the most exacting standards of quality are applied to yield a handcrafted sparkling wine of superior character and refinement, expressive of its vintage year and representative of the signature "Excellence" that since 1851 has been the foundation of Bouvet-Ladubay's philosophy.

Technical notes

GRAPE VARIETY: 85% Chenin Blanc 15% Chardonnay MAXIMUM YIELD: 45 hl/ha (202 cases/acre) MINIMUM ALCOHOL: 10% MINIMUM SUGAR: 170 grams