In the glass
Aroma: white flowers, peach, acacia, honey, hazelnut
Palate: red apple, orange zest, biscuit, fresh citrus
The Bouvet flagship Saumur Brut: Chenin Blanc led with a touch of Chardonnay, 18 months on the lees in tuffeau cellars. Pale gold with hints of amber, white-flower and honeyed fruit aromas, brisk red-apple and biscuit on the palate.
What it pairs with
-
Goat-cheese gougeres
Saumur Brut and warm Loire goat cheese is a textbook regional aperitif pairing. -
Grilled prawns with lemon
Citrus zest on the palate and the wine's brisk acidity refresh sweet shellfish. -
Roast chicken with tarragon
Honeyed Chenin Blanc fruit lifts herbal poultry without overpowering it. -
Sushi and sashimi
High acidity and fine mousse cut through soy and rice without competing with raw fish.
How to serve Bouvet Saphir
Allow 25 minutes from open to pour.
- Chill the bottle. Cool to 8 to 10 C, ideally in an ice bucket with water and ice for 20 minutes rather than the freezer.
- Open and pour gently. Tilt the glass and pour slowly down the side to preserve the fine bubbles and lift the white-flower aromatics.
- Use a tulip flute or white-wine glass. A tulip or small white-wine glass funnels the aroma better than a tall flute or coupe.
- Pair with the food. Serve as an aperitif with goat-cheese gougeres, with grilled prawns and lemon, or with sushi and sashimi.
History
Saphir is Bouvet-Ladubay's anchor Saumur Brut cuvee, named for the bottle's deep blue label and matured at least 18 months on the lees in the tuffeau caves at Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent.
- 1851 — Maison Bouvet-Ladubay founded by Etienne Bouvet and Celestine Ladubay
- 2015 — Monmousseau family completes management buy-back of the house
Facts
- Producer
- Bouvet Ladubay
- Grapes
- Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay
- Classification
- Saumur AOC
- Oak
- stainless steel; minimum 18 months on the lees
- ABV
- 12.5%
- Price
- EUR 12 to 18 at retail
- Drinking window
- 1 to 5 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1980
Scores
- Wine Enthusiast 92 (2021 vintage, reviewed 2024)
- Wine Enthusiast 90 (2023 vintage, reviewed 2025)
Frequently asked about Saphir
What does Bouvet Saphir taste like?
White flowers, peach, acacia, honey and hazelnut on the nose; red apple, orange zest, biscuit and fresh citrus on the palate. Medium-bodied with high acidity and a fine, persistent mousse.
When should I drink Bouvet Saphir?
Drink within 1 to 5 years of vintage, served chilled to 8 to 10 C. Best in the first two years for primary fruit; cellar time builds biscuity, lees-driven complexity.
What food pairs with Bouvet Saphir?
Goat-cheese gougeres are the canonical Loire aperitif pairing; grilled prawns with lemon, roast chicken with tarragon and sushi also work well.
How long is Bouvet Saphir aged?
A minimum of 18 months on the lees in the tuffeau cellars at Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent, following the methode traditionnelle (second fermentation in bottle).