1997) Did You Know Series (52): A Bouvet-Ladubay - Bouvet Brut (Sparkling Wine) from the Saumur Wine Region in France:
When I came to Pune in 2007, I developed an abiding interest in wine research and wine tasting, as Maharashtra was a prominent wine-making State in India.
Having attended Wine Festivals in Mumbai and Pune, it was but natural that I would do so.
I also, visited some of the prominent Wineries in Maharashtra, including - Chateau Indage (now closed) and Sula Vineyards, both of which were a treat to visit, and made for, gathering some interesting information on the subject.
Around the same time, I became a member of the Wine Society of India. I was pleasantly surprised one day to receive a complimentary gift of this Wine Bottle from the Saumur wine-growing region of France produced by Bouvet-Ladubay. I found out that Bouvet-Ladubay was then owned by Vijay Mallya.
Some interesting information about Saumur wine growing Region and Bouvet-Ladubay Winery:
About Saumur Wine growing region:
Two types of wine are important in Saumur - Reds and Sparklers.
The Loire valley makes a speciality of the Cabernet Franc grape variety the principal red appellations of Saumur and Torraine.
The best Appellations for Reds in Saumur is Saumur-Champigny, which are juicy-fruited wines with flavours of summer berries, with a considerable structure.
On the other hand, Sparkling Saumur is made by the same method as Champagne and is mainly made from Chenin Blanc grapes.
From good producers such as Gratien et Meyer, who also make a sparking rose from Cabernet Franc or Bouvet-Ladubay, they have a tart crispiness.
About Bouvet-Ladubay - the history:
The main office of the sparkling wine house is located in the commune of Saint-Hilaire Saint-Florent on the left bank of the Loire near the town of Saumur.
It was founded in 1851 by Etienne Bouvet (1828-1908) and his wife Célestine Ladubay through the purchase of eight kilometres of cellars.
The cellars, carved into the tufa, once belonged to the abbey "La Belle d'Anjou", built, as early as, the 11th Century.
The Coat of Arms with the two silver lions was created in 1873.
From that year onwards, privileged customers were offered the possibility of a personalised label and the company became an official supplier to the British Parliament.
In 1878, a castle was built, as well as, workers' housing for the employees. In the following years, a small theatre and the winery's own electricity plant were built.
Bouvet left no descendants.
Weakened by the First World War and the Great Depression of 1929, the Bouvet Empire was dismembered and sold at auction in 1932.
The sparkling wine production plant was taken over by Justin-Marcel Monmousseau, who was succeeded by his son Jean Monmousseau in 1946 and his son Patrice Monmousseau in 1972.
After the Second World War, the company succeeded in regaining its reputation through quality-oriented production and the expansion of exports.
In 1974, Bouvet-Ladubay was taken over by the champagne house Taittinger, although Patrice Monmousseau retained total freedom of action in the management of the house.
In 2006, the company was acquired by the Indian multimillionaire, manager and entrepreneur, and now fugitive Vijay Mallya.
Finally, in 2015, the long-standing owner family bought it back from Mallya.
Together with his daughter Juliette Monmousseau, the general manager of the house, Patrice Monmousseau founded the investment holding company Ogmius Capital. Together with some partners, the Monmousseau family bought back 100% of the company shares and gained full independence.
To promote its image, the company is involved in equestrian sport, which is historically anchored in Saumur, in motor sport with a seven-year participation in the famous "24 Hours of Le Mans" race, as well as, a wide-ranging cultural sponsorship in the fields of painting, sculpture, dance, theatre, literature and, most recently, film.
In 1992, the "Bouvet Ladubay Art concept" art centre was inaugurated, located in the rooms of the former large power station and exhibits works by contemporary artists.
Afterwards, the private theatre built in the Wilhelminian period was restored and used for events, concerts and theatre performances.
The Wine making processat the Bouvet-Ladubay winery:
Production is carried out in accordance with the company's philosophy of "excellence", which has been in place since its founding, i.e. the pursuit of the highest quality.
Every year, about 100 grape growers are selected. The grapes are controlled and pressed according to strict quality criteria.
The first fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks; the base wines are stored for about four months. In spring, the wines of different grape varieties, vineyards and vintages are then artfully blended.
After ageing in stainless steel tanks or, for the special cuvées, in barriques, the second fermentation (bottle fermentation) is started after bottling.
Remuage (riddling) is carried out using mechanical devices invented by Patrice Monmousseau.
After the disgorgement and the addition of the dosage, the corking is done with natural corks and the last step is the labelling.
The extensive product range includes AOC still wines such as Saumur and Touraine as well as around 15 sparkling wines such as Crémant de Loire.
Among the top products of the house are the sparkling wines "Saphir Vintage" (Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay, Saumur Brut), as well as "Trésor" and the "Ogmius" matured on the yeast for 10 years (both Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay, aged in barriques, Saumur brut). Over six million bottles are produced annually.
Wine production appellations in major wine-producing countries:
France - Appellation d'Origine Controlee (AOC)
Italy - Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)
USA - Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
Germany - Ministry of Agriculture
Spain - Denominacion de Origen (DO)
If the wine label bears the designated appellation from the country of the wine's origin, it means that the wine control/tasting board certifies that the wine has been made as per the standard method/quality control approved by it.
Reading the wine label on this Product:
On the front is mentioned, inter alia -
"BOUVET-BRUT and bears the signature of Bouvet Ladubay. APPELLATION SAUMUR CONTROLEE. SAUMUR. FRANCE. METHOD TRADITIONALLE".
On the back is mentioned, inter alia -
Grape varietal -Chenin, Chardonnay. Region: Selected exclusively from Saumur's AOC vineyards.
Tasting notes - Bright yellow in colour with green highlights, it has a dominant fruity bouquet and fine persistent bubbles with white flowery aromas of honeysuckle and acacia. On the palate it leaves a subtle floral taste.
Vikram Bhatnagar has commented:
ReplyDelete"Heavy and very interesting reading stuff! 👌"
Thanks, Vikram. Apart from the history of Bouvet-Ladubay, I have given a para on how to read wine labels from major wine-producing countries. 🙂
DeleteSantosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Thanks for sharing this interesting information. Cheers."
Thank you, Khanna sahab. Cheers!!
DeleteRsanker Sharma has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very nice. Great information. Thanks for sharing."
Thank you, Sharma sahab.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very interesting information 👍👍."
Thank you, Trikha sahab.
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