The best Crémants from Loire, Alsace, Burgundy, Savoie and Die.
The diverse combination of soil, climate and grape varieties along the Loire characterizes the unique taste and quality of these Loire sparkling wines. The majority of Crémants or other sparkling wines with traditional bottle fermentation and a designation of origin, such as Saumur AOP, are produced around the towns of Saumur, Tours and Cheverny. The diverse soil formations, such as chalk, slate and limestone, as well as the main grape varieties Chenin and Cabernet-Franc, are characteristic of the wide-ranging flavour nuances of these Crémants. These sparkling wines are particularly popular in Germany, one of the largest consumer countries.
The largest growing region for Crémant production in eastern France is Alsace. With a cultivation area of around 3,700 hectares and sales of around 39 million bottles in 2022, this is a success story. Protected by the Vosges mountains, the climate is continental, dry and sunny. The diverse flavours of these sparkling wines are characterised by the geological diversity and the different grape varieties such as Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. Sparkling wine production in Burgundy dates back to the 19th century and ranks third in total Crémant production. They get their special character from the three leading grape varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Aligoté and the high proportion of limestone in the soil. This gives the Crémants a special mineral finesse.
The smallest growing area Die in the central, eastern section of the French wine-growing region Rhône with the Clairette de Die has a cultivation area of only 33 hectares. More than 55 percent of the Clairette Blanche grape variety is used in the cuvées. The Savoie growing region, which covers 38 hectares, is located at an alpine altitude on the border with Switzerland. The autochthonous grape varieties Altesse and Jacquère set the tone here.
