Crémant de Bourgogne Flashcards
What is the most commonly used variety for Crémant de Bourgogne?
Chardonnay
What is the typical varietal composition of Crémant de Bourgogne?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Gamay (up to 20%)
What percentage of production in Burgundy is Crémant de Bourgogne?
10%
What has been the trend in Crémant de Bourgogne production since 2000?
It has more than doubled
What was the average production in bottles of Crémant de Bourgogne from 2012-2016?
19.5 Million
What is the typical style of Crémant de Bourgogne?
There is a range, though most are white, Brut, and have Medium (+) acidity
What is the typical character of Crémant de Bourgogne?
Brut
Medium (+) acidity
Medium intensity fruit ranging from apple to apricot depending on site climate
Autolysis can range from light fruit to rich toasty brioche
True or False
Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, and Rosé styles of Crémant de Bourgogne are not permitted.
False
True or False
The boundary for Crémant de Bourgogne includes land between Chablis and Dijon
False. The appellation is the same boundary as Bourgogne AOC.
From which départements can grapes for Crémant de Bourgogne be sourced from? Which Burgundy subzones are they known form
All of them.
Yonne (Chablis)
Cote d’Or (Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune)
Saône-et-Loire (Chalonnais, Mâconnais)
Rhône (Beaujolais)
How long is the area of Crémant de Bourgogne from North to South?
250 km
What are the main sources for Crémant de Bourgogne?
Mâconnais
Côte Chalonnais (esp. around Rully)
Beaujolais
Areas around Chablis AOC in the Yonne département and Châtillon-sur-Seine which is south of Champagne
Hautes-Côtes-de-Nuits and Hautes-Côte-de-Beaune
Flatland of the Côte d’Or
What are the principle climatic areas of Crémant de Bourgogne?
The northern area of Burgundy, which experiences no hot, dry summer period and produces lighter styles of wine
The central area which has a continental climate and low, sometimes freezing temperatures and dry sunny summers, producing just-ripe fruit with high acidity
The southern area comprising Mâconnais and Beaujolais with Mediterranean influences that produce rich, ripe fruit but is at risk of summer storma
Do growers in Burgundy need to declare if their grapes will be used for Crémant de Bourgogne?
Yes, before the end of March
What is the maximum yield permitted for Crémant de Bourgogne?
80-90 hl/ha depending on planting density
What varieties may be used to produce Crémant de Bourgogne?
All of the Burgundy varieties
Chardonnay Pinot Noir Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris Aligoté Melon Gamay
Which two varieties are most used and generally best suited for Crémant de Bourgogne production? Why?
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir due to their affinity toward autolytic aromas
What are the common climactic hazards across Burgundy for Crémant de Bourgogne producers?
Hail, spring frost, fungal disease, and esca
Does Crémant de Bourgogne undergo malolactic conversion?
Only if it is desired by the producer
What are the minimum requirements for the varietals used in Crémant de Bourgogne?
Minimum 30% Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, or Pinot Gris
Why are Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris not typically used in Crémant de Bourgogne?
They are not widely planted in Burgundy
What is the maximum amount of Gamay permitted in Crémant de Bourgogne?
20%
What varieties are permitted for use in Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs?
Chardonnay, Aligoté, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Melon
Chardonnay is mostly used
What varieties are permitted in Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Noirs?
Only Pinot Noir
What varieties are permitted in Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé?
It must be mostly or exclusively Pinot Noir. Gamay can be used to balance color.
What is the distribution of Crémant de Bourgogne production among major houses, cooperatives, and independent growers?
Houses: 68%
Cooperatives: 30%
Growers: 2%
By what means do independent wine growers typically produce Crémant de Bourgogne? Why?
Independent growers will bring their grapes to specialist facilities that will produce and bottle the wine for them. The cost of producing sparkling wine in-house is often too high, which reflects the low percentage of independent grower/producers in the AOC.
How much have sales of Crémant de Bourgogne increased from 2000-2017?
One third
The top ten companies are responsible for what percentage of Crémant de Bourgogne production?
90%
What percentage of Crémant de Bourgogne is exported? What is the trend?
40%, and continuing to grow
What are the principal export markets for Crémant de Bourgogne? What are some fast growing emerging markets?
USA and Sweden are the major markets
Exports are rising quickly to UK, Belgium, and Germany
What was done to the Crémant de Bourgogne AOC to develop higher quality wines and improve the price of grapes for sparkling wine in Burgundy?
A quality hierarchy was created. The two tiers that were added to the denomination were Crémant de Bourgogne Eminent and Crémant de Bourgogne Grand Eminent.
What are the requirements for Crémant de Bourgogne Eminent?
Any Crémant de Bourgogne that has undergone 24 months of lees aging
What are the requirements for Crémant de Bourgogne Grand Eminent?
Can only be Brut
White: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay only
Rosé: Pinot Noir and up to 20% Gamay
Minimum 36 months on the lees with additional three months in the bottle before release
Vintage is optional, but commonly used
What makes the sourcing of grapes difficult for Crémant de Bourgogne producers?
Due to frost and hail, small harvests affect the region as a whole
Prices for grapes have increased as still wine producers have increased their demand for grapes
What town was formerly a hub for grapes destined for Crémant de Bourgogne but is now selling grapes for still wine production? Why did this change?
Rully. Demand for still wine grapes has increased, as have the prices willing to be paid for them
