Most of the time Champagne is the only sparkling wine associated with France. Read about the affordable, less popular and delicious style of French sparkling wine.
We are synonymous to Champagne when we listen to French Sparkling wine in our head. What we miss to think that there are 53 different appellations of sparkling wines made in France.
My concentration here is on Crémant. Legally certified in 1975, the appellations of Crémant have been producing sparkling wine since ages some even older than champagne. These sparkling wines are produced in some of the most prestigious winemaking regions of France but are less known of. These wines use Methode Champenoise and use different grape varietals giving them a sort of individuality.
The 8 appellations of Crémant are:
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Crémant de Bourgogne
In 1975, Burgundy was the first region in France to be certified as Crémant. Some sparkling wines are produced and Cote d’Or, but the main regions are Rully (Cote Chalonnaise) and Auxerre (Chablis). The grapes mainly used are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay whereas Aligote, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Gamay are also allowed up to 20% of the blend. These wines have a vast range from light and fruity to toasty and complex. 100% Pinot Noir rose wines are also well known.
The minimum aging for Crémant is 9 months. In the quest of creating prominence, higher quality, and variety; in 2013 two new categories were launched:
Grand Eminent- Only Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are allowed and to be aged a minimum of 36 months on lees. Dosage to be brut or drier, alcohol to be minimum 10%, and 20% Gamay can be used for Rose wines.
Eminent- Aged for a minimum of 24 months on lees.
Notable Wines:
Louis Bouillot, Crémant de Bourgogne Perle de Vigne Grande Reserve Brut, France
Bailly-Lapierre, Crémant de Bourgogne Reserve Brut, France
Jean-Noel Gagnard - Caroline Lestime, Crémant de Bourgogne Grand Lys, France
JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset, No 69, Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rose, France
Crémant de Loire
One of the most popular variety of Crémant; it is produced in the pockets on Saumur, Vouvray, Anjou and Touraine. Crémant de Loire uses Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir as the primary varietals whereas Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pineau d’Aunis, Arbois, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris are also allowed.
Saumur is the largest and the most popular sparkling wine-producing area outside champagne. The predominant use of Chenin Blanc leads to these beautiful aromas of chamomile, pear, honey, and lemon to these wines.
The region was certified in 1975 and at one time they were as popular as the wines of Champagne.
Notable Wines:
Langlois-Chateau, Crémant de Loire 'Quadrille' Cuvee de Prestige Extra Brut, France
Chateau Pierre-Bise, Crémant de Loire, France
Domaine des Baumard, Crémant de Loire Brut Rose, France
Abbesse de Loire, Crémant de Loire Rose, France
Langlois-Chateau
Crémant de Limoux
Often regarded to be the region that started the production of sparkling wines in France; Limoux was certified in 1989. It is the highest and coolest part of Languedoc, which makes it a perfect location for producing high-quality sparkling wines.
Historians believe that the first sparkling wine was made in Abbey St. Hilaire, Limouxin 1531, which is way before Champagne. These early versions were made using a local grape variety called Mauzac and were called Blanquette de Limoux. Made using a method called Blanquette Méthode Ancestrale; one-time fermentation in the bottle without disgorgement and dosage.
Crémant de Limoux is: dominated by Chardonnay whereas Pinot Noir, Mauzac, and Chenin Blanc support the blend. Generally consumed fresh after the basic aging of 9 months, some producers are also producing wines worth cellaring of 5-10 years.
Notable Wine
Roche Lacour, Crémant de Limoux Brut, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Gerard Bertrand, Crémant de Limoux Brut, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Saint-Hilaire, Crémant de Limoux Rose Brut, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Domaine J. Laurens, Crémant de Limoux Clos des Demoiselles, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Crémant d'Alsace
Alsace has been making sparkling wines since the 1900’s. It was local winemaker Julien Dopff who resolved to make sparkling wines while is way back from the Paris Exhibition and since then the region is being produced Crémant.
Generally, all white grapes can be used for cement production in Alsace but, majorly they use Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir as a red grape variety. All the rose sparkling’s are made from Pinot Noir. Nearly 40% of total Crémant is from Alsace.
Notable Wines:
Domaine Audrey et Christian Binner, Crémant d'Alsace KB Extra Brut, France
Dopff Au Moulin, Crémant d'Alsace Chardonnay Brut, France
Domaine Dirler-Cade, Crémant d'Alsace Rose Brut Nature, France
Albert Boxler, Crémant d'Alsace, France
Domaine Dirler-Cade
https://www.wineroute.alsace
Crémant de Bordeaux
This famed red wine region also has few good pockets of sparkling wines; officially certified in 1990. These are not very prominent but are always good for some variety. The primary grape is merlot whereas nearly all popular grape varieties of Bordeaux are also used; Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Carmenere, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle.
Notable Wines:
Jaillance, Crémant de Bordeaux 'Cuvee de l'Abbaye' Brut, France
Calvet, Crémant de Bordeaux Brut, France
Louis Vallon, Crémant de Bordeaux Brut Rose, France
Marquis de Beaucel, Crémant de Bordeaux Rose Brut, France
Louis Vallon
https://www.louisvallon.fr
Crémant du Jura
Jura was certified in 1995, for white Crémant du Jura the base wine blend should be 70% Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Trousseau; Poulsard and Savagnin is allowed in the blend as well. For rose wines a blend of any three red grapes from Jura to be at 50% of the base wine with Chardonnay and Savagnin to support.
Notable Wine:
Benedicte & Stephane Tissot, Crémant du Jura Indigene, France
Champ Divin Champ d'Etoiles, Crémant du Jura 'Cuvee Chanson' Zero Dosage, France
Domaine Rolet Pere & Fils, Crémant du Jura Rose Brut, France
Domaine Desire Petit, Crémant du Jura Rose Brut, France
Benedicte & Stephane Tissot
https://www.wineanorak.com/
Crémant de Die
It is a sparkling wine style from Rhone valley around the town of Die. Clairette constitutes 50% of the wine with some addition of Aligote and Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. It is aged on lees for 12 months.
Notable Wines:
Poulet & Fils, Crémant de Die Brut, Rhone, France
Cave de Die Jaillance, Crémant de Die Brut Grande Reserve, Rhone, France
Monge Granon, Crémant de Die Brut, Rhone, France
Jean Vullien, Crémant de Brut Savoie, France
Poulet & Fils, Crémant de Die Brut
https://uppler-platform-bfwine.s3.eu-west-3.amazonaws.com/
Crémant de Savoie
2014 saw the addition of Savoy sparkling wines as Crémant de Savoie. To keep true to the region the wine should have 60% Jacquère and Altesse with a minimum 40% being Jacquère in the final blend. The rest is balanced with Chardonnay, Chasselas, and Aligoté.
Notable Wines:
Jean Vullien Crémant de Brut Savoie, France
Jean Perrier, Crémant de Brut Savoie, France
Eugene Carrel, Crémant de Brut Savoie, France
Andre Michel Quenard, Crémant de Brut Nature Savoie, France
Domaine Andre Michel Quenard
https://www.savoie-mont-blanc.com
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