Cremant de Bourgogne

Question 1

What percentage of wine production in Burgundy does Cremant de Bourgogne account for?

Answer 1

10%

Question 2

What are the permitted varieties for Cremant de Bourgogne?

Answer 2

Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Gamay up to 20%

Other Burgundy varieties such as Aligoté, Pinot Blanc and Melon Blanc

Question 3

Which areas are the main sources of fruit for Cremant de Bourgogne

Answer 3

Chablis

Maconnais - especially for Chardonnay

Cote Chalonnais - around Rully

Beaujolais

Côte d’Or - flat land

Question 4

What are the three main climate types found in Burgundy?

Answer 4

North - cool with no distinct hot dry summer period

Central - continental with cold winters and dry sunny summers

South - Mediterranean influence with hot summers

Question 5

What is the maximum yield for Cremant de Bourgogne?

Answer 5

80 to 90 HL/HA depending on planting density

Question 6

Why are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir the dominant varieties for Cremant de Bourgogne?

Answer 6

Both respond to/display autolytic character well

Question 7

What are the main hazards for Cremant de Bourgogne?

Answer 7

Same as Burgundy on the whole - late spring frost, hail, fungal disease and esca

Question 8

What are the blending requirements for Cremant de Bourgogne?

Answer 8

Minimum 30% Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir or Pinot Gris - alone or in a blend

Maximum 20 % Gamay also permitted - usually to help with the colour of rosé

Question 9

Why is only 2% of cremant de Bourgogne made by independent winemakers?

Answer 9

High cost of investment for traditional method

Many take their grapes to a specialist for production

Question 10

Name two significant producers of cremant de Bourgogne

Answer 10

Jean Charles Boisset

Louis Boillot

Question 11

What is the lees aging requirement for Cremant de Bourgogne Eminent?

Answer 11

24 months

Question 12

What are the main requirements for Cremant de Bourgogne Grand Eminent?

Answer 12

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay only for white wines

Up to 20% Gamay for rosé

Vintage - optional but
Commonly used

Min 36 months lees aging

Brut only

Question 13

Why can sourcing grapes be a challenge for Cremant producers in Burgundy?

Answer 13

Small harvests due to hail and frosts

Rising prices of grapes for still wines (Pinot and Chardonnay) mean that growers can get better prices for still wine grapes

EG Rully used to be a Cremant hub, now focused on still