Why Pay More for your Bubbles? Discover the Affordable Allure of Crémant!

Photo by Cody Chan on Unsplash

Why Pay More for your Bubbles? Discover the Affordable Allure of Crémant! 

M&S Crémant De Bourgogne (ACC) Brut, 12% ABV, 

€12.00 at M&S

M&S: Sparkling, creamy, elegant, fizz

Taste: Peach blossom, apricot, redcurrants.

Food: Canapés, smoked salmon, goats cheese.

Grapes: Chardonnay, Aligoté and Gamay, aged in bottle to give a fine elegant mousse

Sometimes, those of us who regularly dabble in wine assume that other people, who may not dabble as much, will recognise all the terms. Take Crémant, for example, and Methode Traditionelle. Crémant is the term used to classify French sparkling wines produced, using the Méthode Traditionelle, outside the boundaries of the Champagne region. The method, also known (within Champagne) as méthode champenoise, involves disgorgement and a second fermentation in the bottle and you can read more here.  

Crémant de Bourgogne was first made, using the Traditional vinification method (same as Champagne), at the beginning of the 19th century. The AOC status granted in 1975 laid down strict conditions for its production based on meticulously applied traditional skills to achieve high-quality vinification. Only whites and rosés qualify for the appellation. They may be blanc de blancs (from white grapes) or blanc de noirs (from white-juiced black grapes). Most are classed as brut. You’ll see demi-sec less often. The production area is the same as that for the appellation Bourgogne.

Another excellent Crémant 
from Burgundy

Key Crémant Regions & Styles

• Alsace (Crémant d'Alsace): The biggest producer (over half of all French Crémant is made here), often using Pinot Blanc, Riesling, and Pinot Gris for crisp, aromatic wines.
• Burgundy (Crémant de Bourgogne): Shares grapes with Champagne (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir) but offers fresher, sometimes richer, styles from areas like Auxerre and Rully.
• Loire Valley (Crémant de Loire): Known for its versatility, using Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay for diverse profiles.
• Limoux (Crémant de Limoux): Southern France's bubbly, often featuring Mauzac, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc. Limoux strongly claims to be the first region in France to produce bubbly wine!
• Jura (Crémant du Jura): From eastern France, using local grapes like Poulsard and Trousseau for unique flavors.
• Savoie (Crémant de Savoie): From the Alps, offering light, fresh sparkling wines.
• Bordeaux (Crémant de Bordeaux): Produced in the famous wine region, using Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Merlot (for rosé).
• Die (Crémant de Die): In the Rhône Valley, known for Muscat-based sparkling wines. 
• In addition, you also have Crémant de Luxembourg, known for its fine bubbles, balance of freshness and complexity.