Etienne Bodet is a native of the Saumur region, where his family owns a domaine in Montreuil-Bellay. He trained with Sylvain Pataille, Aurélien Gerbais, Bernard Baudry, François Dal, Romain Guiberteau (who is also his stepfather), and he is currently one of the winemakers at Clos Rougeard.

In parallel to Maison Bodet-Herold, the sparkling wine project he founded with his wife Kim Herold, Etienne took over the 1.3 ha Clos Durandière from his family, with Cabernet Franc planted on some of the only hard Jurassic limestone found in the Saumur appellation that otherwise lies almost entirely on the soft Cretaceous limestone known as tuffeau.

"Les Greffiers" is the latest of the bubble cuvées that Étienne Bodet produced with his wife Kim at within Bodet-Herold. It is a pure Chenin from a terroir of oxford marl soils located in the Saumur region. The wines are of course traditional method (champenoise) and is completely input-free (no added sulphite). The duration aging sur latte is 24 months. The disgorging took place in December 2023, completely without dosage (Brut Nature).

These Champagne method bubbles have a thick mousse on the pour with fine beaded bubble persistence.  The weight is medium bodied, not surprising given the zero dosage (brut nature). What I thought worked particularly well was the depth of aroma and flavor considering the finesse and elegance of these wines.  The aroma and flavor intensity were excellent, with a fresh and elegant finish.

Organic Grapes