Quiz 03 - Other French Traditional Method Sparkling Wines

Question 1

Which of the following definitions accurately describes what Crémant means?

1. A style of Champagne with a creamier mousse.
2. Refers to a semi-sparkling style within Champagne.
3. A legal, interchangeable name for méthode champenoise.
4. Denotes some regional French traditional method sparkling wines made outside of the Champagne region.

Answer 1

Correct Answer:
Denotes some regional French traditional method sparkling wines made outside of the Champagne region

There are eight Crémant appellations in France which all produce traditional method sparkling wines.

Question 2

Please describe the requirements for the production of Crémant compared to Champagne.

Answer 2

All Crémant grapes must be hand-harvested so the grapes can be pressed whole bunch (like Champagne). The maximum yield at pressing is 100 litres per 150 kg of grapes.

The maturation period differs from non-vintage Champagne (which must spend 12 months maturing on the lees), since Crémant must be aged on the lees for 9 months during the second in-bottle fermentation.

Similarly, the time spent ageing in bottle is different, as Crémant must spend a mininum of 12 months total ageing in bottle (this is the time between tirage and release, including the lees ageing), whereas non-vintage Champagne must mature for a total of 15 months.

The maximum abv of Crémant is 13 % and the pressure in the bottle must not be less than 4 atmospheres.

Question 3

Of the eight Crémant AOCs, which three are the largest (these will be the only Crémant regions studied on this course)?

Answer 3

Crémant d’Alsace
Crémant de Bourgogne
Crémant de Loire

Question 4

Crémant is usually made from regionally important grape varieties. Which grape variety is most important for Crémant d’Alsace?

Answer 4

Pinot Blanc

Question 5

Which grape varieties can be used in the production of Crémant de Bourgogne?

Answer 5

Aligoté
Chardonnay
Gamay
Melon
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Gris
Pinot Noir

Question 6

What are the main grape varieties used in Crémant d’Alsace, Crémant de Bourgogne and Crémant de Loire?

Answer 6

Crémant d‘Alsace: Auxerrois & Riesling

Crémant de Bourgogne & Crémant d‘Alsace: Pinot Blanc & Pinot Gris

Crémant de Bourgogne: Aligoté, Gamay & Melon

Crémant de Loire:
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chenin Blanc
Cabernet Franc
Grolleau Gris
Grolleau Noir
Pineau d’Aunis

All three regions:
Chardonnay & Pinot Noir

Question 7

Identify the two other AOCs in the Loire Valley in addition to Crémant de Loire for traditional method sparkling wines

Answer 7

Saumur Mousseux
Vouvray Mousseux

Question 8

True or false?
Riesling accounts for 20% of the total Alsace vineyard area and is a major component of Crémant d’Alsace.

Answer 8

False.

Although Riesling is permitted in the production of Crémant d’Alsace, producers tend to favor using it in still wines.

It is Pinot Blanc that accounts for 20% of Alsace vineyard area.

Question 9

Briefly describe the climate of Alsace and the impact this has on grape growing destined for sparkling wine production.

Answer 9

• The climate is semi-continental, with hot, dry summers.
• Nights can be cool during the growing season which helps retain acidity ideal for grapes destined for sparkling wine.
• Challenges include spring frosts which can impact on yield.
• The grapes are picked when just ripe and with high acidity.
• This generally happens in late August/early September so care must be taken with the grapes to avoid spoilage as daytime temperatures are generally still high.

Question 10

True or false?

Mid-priced sparkling wines from Crémant de Loire are typically made from single vintages.

Answer 10

True

For this quality category, reserve wines are typically not used in Crémant de Loire and blending across vintages rarely occurs.

Question 11

Describe the legal and business environment specific to Crémant d’Alsace.

Answer 11

• Crémant d’Alsace must spend a minimum of 9 months on lees.
• 72 % of Crémant d’Alsace is sold in France.
• The production of Crémant d’Alsace is divided between different types of business. Merchant houses make up 37 % of production, cooperatives account for 43 %, and independent growers are 20 %.
• Maison Bestheim, the largest single company producing Crémant d’Alsace makes still and sparkling wine from the fruit of nearly 1.400 hectares. Maison Bestheim owns half of these vineyards and the other half is owned by 450 growers.
• In the year 2012, the prestige category was launched to create a top-quality category for Alsace sparkling wine; a minimum of 75 % Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (either individually or blended together) is required for this categorisation.

Question 12

Assign the following descriptions to the Northern, Central or Southern area of Crémant de Bourgogne.

1. Cool climate. Usually no distinct hot, dry summer period. Vines need to face south or south-east to gain maximum warmth and light. Wines are light-bodied with high acidity.
2. The most continental climate. Winter temperatures can be below zero; summers are dry and sunny. Wines produced have just-ripe fruit and high acidity.
3. Mediterranean influence on climate. High summer temperatures produce wine with riper fruit character and lower acidity. However, they are also at risk from summer storms.

Answer 12

1. Northern area
2. Central area
3. Southern area

Question 13

Although Gamay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Aligoté, Chardonnay, Melon and Pinot Blanc are permitted in the production of Crémant de Bourgogne, why are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir most widely used?

Answer 13

Because they both respond well to yeast autolysis.

Question 14

Describe the grape varieties permitted and used in the production of Crémant de Bourgogne.

Answer 14

• A minimum of 30 % of Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris or Pinot Noir may be used in the blend for the production of Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc; this fraction can either be a combination of these four varieties or they may be used alone.
• Only 20 % of Gamay is permitted.
• In reality, the white grape variety Chardonnay and the black grape variety Pinot Noir are mainly used, as the plantings of the other two permitted varieties are minimal.
• For Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs, Chardonnay and other white varieties are allowed.
• But for Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Noirs, only Pinot Noir is permitted.
• Rosé is mainly made from Pinot Noir, but a small amount of Gamay is allowed to help with the color.

Question 15

Describe the legal and business environment specific to Crémant de Bourgogne.

Answer 15

• Around 30 % of Crémant de Bourgogne is produced by cooperatives.
• The next 2 % is produced by independent growers, and the rest by merchant houses.
• The top ten companies are responsible for marketing 90 % of volume.
• Exports of Crémant de Bourgogne account for nearly 40 % of sales.
• Crémant de Bourgogne Eminent must be aged for an additional minimum period of 24 months on the lees.
• Crémant de Bourgogne Grand Eminent must be aged for a minimum period of 36 months on the lees and then another 3 months in bottle.

Question 16

Which Loire Valley districts is the fruit for Crémant de Loire grown in?

Answer 16

Touraine and Anjou-Saumur

Question 17

Briefly describe how the climate and geographical features of the Loire Valley districts used for Crémant make it ideal for growing grapes destined for sparkling wines.

Answer 17

• The ocean influence extends to cover most of the Crémant AOC delimited area. This cool climate produces grapes with light fruit flavours and high acidity.
• The many soil types found in this region have good drainage and water retention properties. This is important in a high rainfall area like the Loire.
• Sheltered sites are preferred for grapes grown for sparkling wine production.
• Higher proportion of clay is normal which keeps the site that bit cooler than sites typically used for still wine production.

Question 18

What is the name of the new top tier category for Loire sparkling wine?

The term encompasses Crémant de Loire, Anjou, Saumur and Vouvray appellations.

Answer 18

Prestige de Loire

The term was established in 2018 as an initiative by InterLoire.

Question 19

Describe the laws for Prestige de Loire wines.

Answer 19

• Prestige de Loire must be white and only made from either a blend or single varietal Chenin Blanc, Carbernet Franc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
• The resultant wine must be aged for a minimum of 24 months on the lees.
• All of the wines are brut in style and therefore require less than 12 g/L dosage.

Question 20

Describe grape varieties and yields applicable to Saumur Mousseux or Vouvray Mousseux.

Answer 20

Vouvray Mousseux:
* Must be made from 95 % Chenin Blanc
* The maximum yields for sparkling wines are 65 hL/ha

Saumur Mousseux:
* Must be a minimum of 60 % Chenin Blanc and may contain a maximum of 10 % Sauvignon Blanc
* Rosé wines must be a minimum of 60 % Cabernet Franc and may contain a maximum of 10 % Sauvignon Blanc
* The maximum yields for sparkling wines are 67hL/ha