3. Other Traditional Method Sparkling Wines - France

Question 1

How did the term Cremant come into use to describe traditional method sparkling wines outside Champagne?

Answer 1

Before 1985, the term Cremant was used to refer to a semi-sparkling style within Champagne. When the EU banned the term “methode champenoise” as a description of traditional method for making sparkling wines, Cremant came to be used exclusively for traditional method sparkling wines outside Champagne

Question 2

How many Cremant appellations are there in France?

Answer 2

8

Question 3

What are common features of all Cremant wines?

Answer 3

1. Whole bunch pressing & hand harvesting
2. Max yield at pressing 100 litres/150 kg of grapes
3. min 9 months on lees during 2nd fermentation
4. min 12 months aging between tirage and release, which includes the 9 months on lees
5. max 13% abv finished wine
6. min 4 atmospheres pressure

Question 4

How does the production of the largest Cremant appellations compare to Champagne?

Answer 4

Alsace and Loire are the largest and most important appellations, but the production of each is only about 10% of the production of Champagne.