Comme Autrefois 2008 Françoise Bedel

FRANCOIS BEDEL - AS BEFORE

「かつてのように」、月に寄り添う造り。

ヴァレ・ド・ラ・マルヌ最西端で、誰よりも早くビオディナミを実践した先駆者フランソワーズ・ベデル。地の主役であるムニエを軸に、樽発酵と長期の澱熟成を経た円熟のシャンパーニュです。黄金がかった深い色調に、繊細で持続性のある泡立ち。洋梨のコンポートや黄桃、ドライアプリコットに、ブリオッシュや蜂蜜が重なります。クリーミーな質感を、しなやかな酸と塩味が引き締めます。帆立貝のポワレや熟成コンテと。

Item code

C08SP5621

Producer

Secret Cellar

Type

Sparkling

Region

Champagne

Appellation

AOP Champagne

Vintage

2008

Grape varieties

Meunier 45%, Chardonnay 35%, Pinot Noir 20%

Volume

750ml

Serving temperature

8–10°C

Recommended glass

Champagne tulip glass (a flute also works)

Tasting note

This mature Champagne is a harmonious blend of extended lees aging and barrel-imparted nuances. When poured, it reveals a deep, golden hue and delicate, persistent bubbles. The aroma presents ripe fruits like compote pear, yellow peach, and dried apricot, alongside the toasted notes of brioche, honey, and a hint of spice. On the palate, a creamy, deep texture expands, with the rich fruitiness from the Meunier grape balanced by supple acidity and a subtle saline touch. A slight hint of oxidation adds complexity, providing a quiet length and depth to the finish.

Food pairing

Roasted Chicken Thigh Pan-Seared Scallops Aged Comté (12-24 months)

Winemaking & technical data

Cultivation Information

Françoise Bedel is a producer located in a small hamlet at the westernmost end of the Vallée de la Marne, the home of Meunier.

She was a pioneer who transitioned to biodynamics even before anyone in the industry was familiar with the term. She decided to convert in 1996 after meeting biodynamic pioneers (Marc Kreydenweiss, Anne-Claude Leflaive, and Jean-Claude Fleury), and obtained biodynamic certification in 2001.

The vineyards are around Crouttes-sur-Marne, at an altitude of 100-200m, covering approximately 8.4 hectares. The soil is a complex mix of clay, marl, limestone, and silt, and some plots have vines up to 60 years old.

Cultivation follows the lunar cycle, without synthetic chemicals, treating the soil as a living organism. Meunier is the main grape, complemented by Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Currently, her son, Vincent Desautels, manages the estate.

Winemaking Information

True to its name, "Comme Autrefois" (meaning "as before"), this cuvée embodies a return to tradition.

It is a non-vintage Champagne made by carefully selecting the best barrels of the year, and all fermentation takes place in French oak barrels.

Bottled in square, ring-necked bottles sealed with corks, it undergoes long-term aging on its lees (typically around 11 years of sur latte aging before disgorgement).

Dosage is very low, ranging from Brut to Extra Brut depending on the year.