Cremant wine: everything you need to know + where and what brands to try

Cremant - group of sparkling wines. Alcohol content varies between 7 and 14%. They are made on the principle of champagne, using secondary fermentation, but outside the Champagne region. Countries of production - France (8 appellations), Belgium, Luxembourg (1 appellation each).

History of Cremant wines

Initially, it was a separate style of sparkling wine from Champagne using the "methode champenoise" (secondary fermentation). Cremant is less fizzy: about 2 bars of atmospheric pressure less. Later it became the name of the wine from the Loire Valley.

1975: Cremant de Loire was granted the AOC status, which confirms its origin in a specific region. The Burgundy wine Creman de Bourgogne was introduced.

1976: We launched the production of Creman d’Alsace.

1990: "Unsuccessful" champagne was no longer supplied by Champagne, instead Bordeaux, Limoux and others started.

2020: A large number of regions are engaged in the production of wines for every taste and color. Each has its own special varieties.

Features of Crémant production

The quality depends partly on the strict wine laws of France, partly on regional. They involve harvesting by hand, sending whole bunches under the press with a specific extraction of wort (150 kg of berries per 100 liters of nectar) and a minimum aging of 9 months.

Primary fermentation takes place behind the walls of the tanks. Afterwards, the drink is bottled, sugar and yeast are added and left to ferment. At this stage, secondary fermentation and carbonation takes place. After the required time has elapsed, the containers are turned upside down so that the sediment is near the cork. The process of its extraction is called degorging.

Where you can taste real Cremant

1. Cremant d’Alsace

   Alsace region is located in the northeastern part of the French territory. More than half of all French Cremant is born here. The climate is dry, sunny, and fertile soils ensure the quality of the fruit.

2. Cremant de Bourgogne

   Burgundy is located just south of Champagne. Known for still wines based on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Production is located in the northern region of Auxerre (Chablis) and in the south in Ralli (Côte Chalonnaise). He owns 20% of the drink. Cremant has a range from fresh northern-style wines to full-bodied wines from Southern Burgundy, where the fruit ripens better. Burgundy has 2 elite wines. Eminent, which is aged in bottle for 24 months, and Grand Eminent, which is aged in bottle for 36 months. Alcohol content is 10%.

3. Cremant de Limoux

   The municipality of Limoux, France, located in the southern part next to the mountains. Sparkling wines have been produced here for a long time. Classics - Blanquette Methode Ancestrale and Blanquette de Limoux.

4. Cremant de Loire

   Due to the predominance of Chenin Blanc, the wine acquires lemon, pear, honey, quince and chamomile aromas.

5. Cremant de Bordeaux

   Mostly Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Carmenère, Sauvignon Blanc are used. The latter can be found only here. Bordeaux has 2% of the market, the region is known for its quiet wines.

6. Cremant du Jura

   White, rosé and red wines are based on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and others.

7. Cremant de Savoie

   Made from Chardonnay, Chasselas and others.

8. Cremant de Die

   The wines have a particularly "grapey" taste and aroma of peach, apricot, honeysuckle.

9. Cremant de Luxembourg

   Wine from the Moselle region of Luxembourg, produced according to the traditional French method, aged for at least 9 months.

10. Cremant de Wallonie

    A drink from the Walloon region of Belgium.

Some brand representatives of Cremant wines

1. Antech-Limoux, Cuvée Eugénie, Crémant de Limoux, 12%. Dry. The taste has bright notes of lemon and sherbet, slightly sour.

2. Domaine de l'Idylle, Pétille Idylle, Crement de Savoie, 12.5%. Dry. Combines refreshing taste and apple aroma.

3. Cave de Lugny, Blanc de Blancs Brut, Crémant de Bourgogne NV, 12%. Dry. Smells of dried fruits and nuts. The taste is characterized by apple.

4. Philippe Michel, Crémant du Jura, Jura, France, 12%. Dry. Apple and citrus.

5. Domaine Langlois-Château, Crémant de Loire, Loire, France, 12.5%. Dry. Soft with hints of sherbet.

How and with what to drink Crémant wine

Chill to 6-10 °C before serving. Suitable as an aperitif to stimulate the appetite. Pour into flute glasses or any other glasses designed for champagne, which have a pointed bottom or indentations in the walls. This is how you get more bubbles. Fill 60% of the glass.

Sparkling wine is in harmony with seafood, nuts, meat, cheese and fruit snacks.

Update: 30.04.2020

Category: Wine and Vermouth