Bouvet Saphir Methode Traditionelle Saumur Vintage Brut

Bouvet Ladubay are the most awarded sparkling wine house in France outside of the Champagne region. When you’ve been producing high quality French fizz since 1851 (and were owned at one stage by one of the greatest Champagne producers on the planet) you’ve learnt a thing or two along the way.

Founded in 1851 in the beautiful town of Saumur in the heart of the Loire Valley by Etienne Bouvet and wife Celestine Ladubay. Then bought by the Monmousseau family in the 1930s before the world famous Champagne house Taittinger took ownership for over 30 years from the 1970s to the early 2000s. It’s now back in the hands of the Monmousseau family.

Bouvet produces their sparkling wines using the same process and techniques (aka Methode Traditionelle) as the grand marque Champagne houses – giving you the Champagne-style experience without the hefty price tag.

This is Bouvet’s high quality Saphir – named after the sapphire gemstone (a bit like this wine, a bit of a gem!) and also local legend of a famous sapphire ring lost in the Loire Valley river.

Produced from high quality 85% Chenin Blanc and 15% Chardonnay grapes selected from Saumur’s renowned AOP vineyards – AOP is the highest classification in the French wine quality pyramid, following strict rules with grape varieties, yields, and terroir. No cutting corners here!

Aged for a minimum of 18 months on the lees for added richness and complexity. The world famous Bouvet Ladubay’s cellars are housed in ancient tuffeau stone quarries, the perfect environment for aging wine.

If you’re in the Loire Valley region make sure to visit the Bouvet Ladubay cellars. An UNESCO World Heritage Site and 8 kilometres in length – the cellars lie in a tuffeau cave excavated 1,000 years ago by Saint Florent monks and converted to an Underground Cathedral in 2002. Enjoy a flute or two and explore the cellar by le vélo (bicycle!).