L'âme de la Terre Extra-Brut Françoise Bedel et Fils 2008

A family farm, Domaine Françoise Bedel et Fils is located in Crouttes-sur-Marne, a village in the Marne valley just a few hundred metres from the last lands of the Paris Basin. Françoise Bedel took over part of the domain in 1979 following Fernand and Marie-Louise Bedel, the first generation to work the property. Her son Vincent joined her in 2003. The domain is made up of 8.4 hectares of vines spread on both sides of the Marne in different towns: Crouttes-Sur-Marne, Nanteuil-Sur-Marne, Charly-Sur-Marne, and Villiers-Saint-Denis. The dominant grape variety is Pinot Meunier (78%), followed by Chardonnay (13%) and Pinot Noir (9%). The domain has been certified biodynamic since 1998. The grapes are harvested at perfect maturity and then the wines age for at least 36 months in the cellar. For considerable time, François Bedel has been offering Extra-Brut cuvées and producing very pure, assertive wines often with very subtle oxidative notes and fine flavour and strength. Still relatively unknown to the general public, this area is a must-see for avid champagne lovers.