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Champagne Francoise Bedel et Fils
www.champagne-francoise-bedel.fr
Franciose Bedel and her son
Franciose Bedel and her son
Country of Origin: France
Location: Crouttes-sur-Marne
People: Francoise Bedel, Owner & Winemaker
Supplier: http://www.jondavidwine.com


Françoise Bedel is a "Grande Dame" of the biodynamic movement in Champagne. Her little estate is located in Crouttes-sur Marne, in the extreme western reaches of Champagne. The single most particular thing about this Bedel is that they bottle their vintage wine with out a vintage designation! Françoise rarely calls a vintage. She prefers instead to impress customers with her non-vintage wines, almost all of which actually come from a single year's fruit. No cultured yeast is used and Francoise insists that the wild yeast present in the vineyard add to the character. She is one of the few growers represented in the United States who grow their own fruit and make their own wine.

In the 1990's she began the conversion to organic and then biodynamic agriculture realizing she was destroying her vineyards with synthetic products. She prepares her own treatments and remains one of the leaders of this movement in Champagne. Her south and southeast facing vineyards are worked year round by her son Vincent and not a drop of non-organic treatments have been used on the vines since 1997. She tells Peter Liem that she's noticed a change in her wines: "There's a certain rectilinear character, a structure in the wines now...there's a more intimate feeling in the flavors that connects the wine and the tasters, and the wines are more profound in expression." In 2002 Françoise was accepted as a member of BIODYVIN, a group of 90 winemakers throughout France whose properties are farmed entirely biodynamically.

One of the biggest advocates of the Pinot Meunier grape, Francoise's holdings are primarily made up of this varietal now, and it features highly in her bottlings. Every part of the harvest is performed by hand in small baskets. The wines pass into oak barrels before being bottled and are given a very light dosage. The vintage and non-vintage wines both benefit from a tremendous amount of bottle age before release. The entry level wine doesn't leave the cave until five years after harvest-this is for a non-vintage!

The Wine Advocate 11/2013
"Françoise Bedel’s achievements represent one more among numerous recent demonstrations that long- or even perpetually neglected sectors of Champagne – in her case, the Marne Valley’s Meunier-rich western fringe-can set off vinous fireworks. Bedel has been farming entirely biodynamically for fifteen years, and has become quite well-known for her advocacy of that regimen. An inexpensive entry-level cuvée is absent from her portfolio; but then, she not only works in an extremely meticulous and labor-intensive way, she also releases no wine sooner than five years after its harvest."

Media Links
HOGSALT: Françoise Bedel: Changing the Landscape of Champagne
ChampagneGuide.net: Francoise Bedel

Social Media
Françoise Bedel Facebook
Items
Champagne Francoise Bedel et Fils NV 'Dis, Vin Secret' Brut, Champagne AOC Net Price Reviews —
Champagne Francoise Bedel et Fils NV 'Entre Ciel et Terre' Brut, Champagne AOC Net Price Reviews —
Champagne Francoise Bedel et Fils 2003 'L'Ame de la Terre' Extra Brut, Champagne AOC Net Price Reviews —
Reviews
Champagne Francoise Bedel et Fils 2003 'L'Ame de la Terre' Extra Brut, Champagne AOC
Rating: 91

The Françoise Bedel 2003 Brut L’Ame de la Terre announces itself with sweaty and buckwheat-like pungency and smokiness, behind which are intimations of the apple and white peach that then dominate an expansive and prominently lees-enriched palate. Toasted grains, animal and saline mineral nuances, as well as prominent chew of fruit skin and piquancy of pit and pip combine for a finish of interactively complex and downright invigoration such as one doesn’t associate with this torrid vintage. I imagine that this will merit at least 2-3 more years of attention.

- The Wine Advocate (11/30/2013)

Champagne Francoise Bedel et Fils NV 'Dis, Vin Secret' Brut, Champagne AOC
Rating: 92

Bedel’s overwhelmingly Meunier-dominated NV Brut Dis, Vin de Secret Brut DB051012 (this batch harbors 15% Chardonnay and 5% Pinot) received partial barrel-élevage, though it was fermented in tank. Its greenhouse-like evocation of flowering and leafing things is typical for Meunier, with scents of coriander and mint prominent, and those of apple, winter pear, and almond anticipating the dominant flavors on a coolly restrained, silken textured palate. Cleansing yet clinging, the lusciously lingering finish subtly glows with an aura of herbal essences. Having no experience with this wine before now, I can only hazard a guess that it will continue to delight for a couple more years – and for all that I (don’t) know, perhaps significantly longer.

- The Wine Advocate (11/30/2013)

Champagne Francoise Bedel et Fils NV 'Dis, Vin Secret' Brut, Champagne AOC
Rating: 92

(86% pinot meunier, 8% pinot noir and 6% chardonnay, bottled with no dosage: Light, bright yellow. Pungent, highly aromatic bouquet evokes peach nectar, poached pear, vanilla and honeysuckle. Deeply pitched orchard and pit fruit flavors show very good intensity and lift, picking up spiciness with air.  Finishes on a suave floral note, with impressive focus and length.

- International Wine Cellar (12/15/2012)

Champagne Francoise Bedel et Fils NV 'Entre Ciel et Terre' Brut, Champagne AOC
Rating: 93

Exhibit A in the case for Bedel and her obscure terroir must be a NV Brut Entre Ciel et Terre EB041012, which places Meunier in something more like its usual supporting role, letting Chardonnay and Pinot step forward. Jasmine, green tea, lime, grapefruit, and white currant inform a brightly penetrating yet subtly perfumed nose, whose elements are joined on a palpably lees-enriched yet vivacious and consummately refreshing palate by nut oils, smoky toasted grain and saliva-liberating salinity. A subtle sense of textural oiliness reinforces the nut and citrus oil aspects but without deflecting any of this wine’s effusive juiciness or dimming the invigorating tang incorporated in a mouthwateringly long finish tinged with iodine.

- The Wine Advocate (11/30/2013)

Champagne Francoise Bedel et Fils NV 'Entre Ciel et Terre' Brut, Champagne AOC
Rating: 92

(web only) Mineral flavors and a silvery, citrus edge, with hints of iodine, are backed by a vibrant structure. Honey and nascent coffee notes play out on the long finish. Drink now through 2013. 2,500 cases made

- The Wine Spectator (12/15/2010)

Champagne Francoise Bedel et Fils NV 'Entre Ciel et Terre' Brut, Champagne AOC
Rating: 90

Vivid gold. An exotically perfumed bouquet displays floral honey, poached pear, redcurrant, white flowers and chalky minerals. A hint of toasted nuts comes up with air and carries onto the palate, adding depth to lively blood orange and orchard fruit flavors. Weighty but lively as well, with strong finishing cut, a nutty echo and very good smoky persistence

- International Wine Cellar (12/1/2010)