When it comes to French sparkling wines, Champagne often steals the spotlight. But don’t overlook its affordable and flavorful counterpart – Crémant. This week, we’re diving into a bottle from the Loire Valley to show you why this underdog deserves your attention.
Crémant is a traditional method sparkling wine produced primarily in France, with Luxembourg also joining the party. While it shares similarities with Champagne, it has its unique characteristics that set it apart. In the Loire Valley, for instance, you’ll find Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir grapes, but our focus is on a Chardonnay-driven Crémant de Loire.
The aroma offers a delightful blend of buttered biscuit, apple, grapefruit, pear, and toasted almond. On the palate, expect smooth bubbles that dance with notes of bitter almond, yellow apple (complete with peel), and a lingering wooliness on the finish. This versatile wine pairs beautifully with seafood and shellfish, making oysters an ideal match.
1. Crémant de Loire offers a unique flavor profile, thanks to its grape selection and production methods. 2. The extended lees aging process contributes to the distinctive buttered biscuit aroma. 3. With nine commonly used grapes, there’s a world of variety waiting to be discovered in Crémant de Loire alone.
Hand-harvested grapes and a yearlong fermentation process ensure the highest quality.
Eager to explore more? The French take their wines seriously, and Crémant de Loire is no exception. Hand-harvested grapes and a yearlong fermentation process ensure the highest quality. So, why not embark on a 9-week adventure tasting the various regions of French Crémant? Who’s with us? Let’s make it happen!
Thirsty for more? Dive deeper into understanding Crémant and elevate your wine tasting game. Join us next week as we continue our exploration of the world’s finest wines. Comment below if you’d be up for a 9-week Crémant challenge!
Questions & Answers
What is French Crémant?
French Crémant is a sparkling wine produced in specific regions of France, following the same traditional method as Champagne.
How does Crémant differ from Champagne?
While both are sparkling wines, Crémant comes from various French regions and uses local grape varieties, whereas Champagne is exclusively produced in the Champagne region of France.
Information sourced from industry reports and news outlets.
