The Wine Reference🍷 SupportCrémant
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Crémant is a sparkling wine style known for apple, pear, citrus. Its best-known homes are Loire, Alsace, Burgundy.
Origin and history
French traditional-method sparkling wine made outside Champagne; the term was adopted for these appellations from the mid-1970s, after Champagne gave up using it.
Where it grows
Eight French appellations: Alsace, Bourgogne, Loire, Jura, Limoux, Bordeaux, Die and Savoie; also Crémant de Luxembourg.
Structure
Light to medium body, crisp acidity and fine mousse; usually Brut, made by second fermentation in bottle with hand-harvested, gently pressed grapes.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: green apple, pear, lemon and blossom, with local character from Pinot Blanc, Chenin or Chardonnay. With age: brioche, toast and honey.
Ageing
Most within 1–4 years; longer-aged cuvées can improve for 5–8.
Good to know
Rules require at least 9 months on the lees and 12 months before release; Crémant de Bourgogne Éminent needs 24 months and Grand Éminent 36.
Similar styles
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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