Once synonymous with champagne with very light foam, the term “crémant” has since the mid-1970s designated sparkling wines produced using the traditional method of double fermentation and aged on slats (as for champagne). If Alsace, which accounts for the lion’s share (a third of national production), the Loire (25%) and Burgundy (20%) were the pioneers, in the mid-1970s, they were joined, in 1990, through Limoux (Aude) and Bordeaux, then Die (1993), in Drôme, Jura (1995) and Savoie (2014).
- Bestheim Grand Prestige 2019 – Crémant d’Alsace
The cooperative vinifies nearly 10% of the Alsatian vineyard, half of which is devoted to the production of crémants. A pure pinot blanc, crystalline, elegant and of great finesse. €16.
- Cave de Ribeauvillé Grande Cuvée – Crémant d’Alsace
A star of the appellation made from a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The creamy bubble delivers tasty notes of white flowers, red fruits and toast. €20.80.
- Domaine Trapet Richovila – Crémant d’Alsace
Made from 100% Pinot Blanc, the latest creation from this line of winemakers offers floral freshness intertwined with subtle notes of white-fleshed fruit. €20.
- Valentin Zusslin Bollenberg – Crémant d’Alsace
Among the best in the region, this plot selection, a tasty and persistent wine, illustrates the rise of local crémants in Alsace. €38.
- Albert Bichot Pure Blanc de Blancs – Crémant de Bourgogne
Ambitious aging in wood for this reference in the region, pure expression of the beautiful terroirs of the Côte d’Or. Lots of liveliness and minerality. €26.
- Winegrowers of Secret Lands White of Whites – Crémant de Bourgogne
The Mâconnais cellar is part of sustainable viticulture. A floral dominant, twisted with notes of lemon zest. €9.60.
- Nuiton-Beaunoy Victorine de Chastenay 2016 – Crémant de Bourgogne
Another success of the Burgundian cooperative movement is this Extra brut 100% pinot noir. Notes of white flowers, almond and pear. €13.10.
- From Chanceny Impetus 2016 – Crémant de Loire
A subtle blend of lots of Chardonnay and Chenin with a little Cabernet Franc and Grolleau, the wine exudes honeyed fruits, toasted bread and candied lemon. €14.
- Langlois Cadence 2017 – Crémant de Loire
The venerable house of Saumur affirms its winemaking identity in this vintage of excellence which puts Chenin in the spotlight. Delicate notes of hazelnut, dried fruit and brioche. €24.50.
- Gratien & Meyer Golden Flame 2016 – Crémant de Loire
Passed from the darkness of the tuffeau galleries to the lights of the holidays, these fine bubbles enchant the palate with notes of pear and warm brioche. €19.95.
- Clos Martinolles Extreme – Crémant de Limoux
The merchant-winemaker Jean-Claude Mas is a passionate champion of Languedoc white wines. In Limoux, he realized his dream of making a wine with bubbles, which he cut as fine as they were dancing. Notes of honey and candied citrus fruits. €18.
- Petit Cernin Bubbles – Crémant de Limoux
An ambitious new player in the South-West wine world, Maison Wessman is launching this original blend of Chardonnay, Chenin, Mauzac and Pinot Noir. Lots of elegance and finesse. €19.
Our selection of crémants
© / SDP/L’EXPRESS
And also
Alsace
An extra brut blanc de vins aged for four years on slats. €12.50
- Domaine Dirler-Cadé Riesling Brut Nature (organic)
A nectar where the flavors of lilac, apple, greengage and stone coexist in perfect harmony. €23.80.
- Domaine Bott-Geyl Absolute (organic)
One hundred months of aging on slats gives it explosive aromas of curry, dried mango, yellow rose bush… A great gastronomic wine. €31.50.
- Domaine Fernand Engel Blanc de Noirs Zero Dosage (organic)
A pure pinot noir, without sulfur or dosage, with accents of morello cherry and pastries. €21.
- Domaine Muré Great Vintage 2016 (organic)
A blend of powerful and vinous Riesling and Chardonnay for the table. €27.50
- Humbrecht Estate 1619 Elegance (organic)
Spring bubbles where raspberry plays side by side with green apple. €12.60.
- Mann Estate Infinitely Crazy (organic)
84 months of aging on slats, without added sulphites, for this captivating pure Chardonnay. €47.50.
- Domaine Dopff at the Moulin Organic Raw (organic)
A pioneer of the bubble in Alsace, the Riquewihr house remains more than ever a reference. €14.95
Burgundy
- Simonnet-Febvre Zero Dosage
The venerable Chablis house produces no fewer than seven Crémant vintages. This pure chardonnay aged on slats for three years delivers beautiful citrus notes. €15.75
- Sainchargny Immemorial 2016
This extra brut blanc de blanc is one of the prestigious vintages from Cave de Lugny, in Mâcon, the region’s leading producer-maker of crémants. €18.
- Bailly Lapierre Long Live Joy 2018
The Saint-Bris-le-Vineux cellar, in Yonne, has been producing Crémants since 1972 in an underground stone quarry. €18.50.
- Clerk’s Castle
A disconcerting wine with its accents of very ripe exotic fruits (passion, lychee, dates, jujube, etc.). €26.50 (magnum)
- Domaine Bouhelier Cuvée Trésor
Made at the gates of Champagne, on the Chatillonnais terroir, this extra brut blanc de vins releases pretty autumnal notes of undergrowth. €13.90.
Loire
- Château de Plaisance 2019 (organic)
Half Chenin, half Chardonnay, the non-dosed bubbles of this great Anjou signature charm the taste buds. €30.
- Mining Bubbles White of Blacks 2020 (organic)
A pure natural Cabernet Franc from the Bourgueil terroir. Notes of citrus and white flowers. €17.
- Top Perch Raw Nature 2021 (organic)
A gem of this beautiful Aubance estate. Combination of Chenin and Chardonnay for gastronomy. €17.
- Dumnacus Winegrowers Traditions Collection
A blend of several Loire grape varieties with excellent value for money. €8.70.
Limoux
- Antech House Legacy (organic)
This historic family of vintages draws from this unique terroir, between the freshness of the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean climate, very pretty bottles, where Chardonnay dominates. €17.35.
- Domaine J.Laurens Clos des Demoiselles
This “noble” crémant established the reputation of a house founded by a Champenois in the 1980s, and since developed by a native of the country. €16.
Bordeaux
- Celene Gaia White of white (organic)
The ultimate expression of Sémillon seen by one of the oldest and most important Crémant producers in Entre-Deux-Mers. €11.50.
- White House Amélie Constant 2019 (organic)
A tribute to the co-founder of the property, renowned for these admirable Montagne-Saint-Emilion wines, this very pale Crémant rosé is made from 100% Cabernet Franc. €17.50.
This line of Libourne winegrowers has been shining in the sparkling wine industry for one hundred and twenty years. A vintage with a joyful and tasty style. €14.
die
- Maison Jaillance Icon (organic)
A harmonious blend of Clairette, Aligoté and Petit Grain Muscat with sweet floral flavors. €15.
- Domaine Peylong Dazed (organic)
Very fine foam and aromas of elegant simplicity characterize this chalky and saline cuvée. €10.50.
- Domaine Achard-Vincent Little Jules (organic)
A pioneer of biodynamics. A sulfur-free wine with devilish delicacy (juicy apple and apricot). €13.40.
Jura
- Domaine Rolet Cuvée Coeur de Chardonnay 2018
A pure Chardonnay from Arbois with tasty notes of pineapple, orange zest and grapefruit. €26.
- Domaine André and Mireille Tissot White of Blacks
A vintage reference, composed only of Pinot Noirs grown biodynamically, without dosage or sulfur. Pure delight. €30.
- Domaine Pierre Richard 2016
Aging for four years on slats allows the Chardonnay to express its character (buttery, nutty). €25.
Savoy
- Domaine Carrel & Senger The Eugene Reserve
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay counter Jacquère, the majority grape variety, in this round, fruity cuvée with a beautiful mineral structure. €17.90.
- Domaine Saint Germain Hortense’s Bubbles (organic)
The native jacquère and altesse deliver juicy and crunchy accents of citrus and pineapple. A festive wine. €25.
- Domaine Jean-François Quénard Between Friends (organic)
Beautiful creamy mousse and saline notes mark the mineral straightness of the Jacquère-Pinot Noir-Chardonnay blend. €20.