Cremant is a sparkling wine. The difference between Cremant and Champagne is small but still identifiable nonetheless. Champagne is a sparkling wine from Champagne while Cremant is made in different places of France where wine is produced. Cremant and Champagne are produced in the same manner used for producing wine; that is the traditional methods.
Method Traditionelle is a process used in making wine and also used in Cremant and Champagne. The second fermentation is required in this technique with using lees which is sediment taken out from the second fermentation to get them in the bottle. Usually, yeast is used to make the sediment that makes these wines create their fizz naturally. The process doesn’t end here and requires 12 months of aging at least, before selling. The aging is important to let the sediment ferment appropriately and can make the wine sparkle nicely.
Initially, when Champagnes were introduced in the 19th century they used to taste sweet and not dry. Champagne has somewhat higher and tighter guidelines than the Cremant. Cremant can be said as a cheap alternative to Champagne without any compromise in the taste and quality.
So the major difference between Champagne and Cremant is that Cremant is produced with the same method from which the Champagne is made but it is from the outside region of Champagne. In this article, we have also discussed various Cremant wines from Luxembourg and France.
The different variety of Cremant is as follows:
1. Crémant d’Alsace
To make white, grapes used are Pinot Gris Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling
Rosé is made from pure Pinot Noir and no other grapes are used.
You might be wondering after hearing the fact that more than half of French Cremant is produced in the beautiful Alsace region covered with the foothills of mountains and thus makes the place suitable for the French Cremant production.
Because of the sunny and dry climate of Alsace in France, it allows grapes to ripe properly. The soil of Alsace is further good for grapes as the alluvial fans sense a natural mosaic and can support grapes in large varieties. Crema d’Alsace can be called a prime variety but it’s not the same with every Cremant as a base of Pinot Blanc is used to blend with them.
2. Crémant de Bourgogne
White: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay using Gamay, Sacy, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Melon de Bourgogne, and Aligoté occasionally
To make the rose of Cremant de Bourgogne grapes used are always Pinot Noir while at times Gamay
So, if you remember the map or geography of France then you can point out that Burgundy is located just in the south region of Champagne. Burgundy is praised for its Pinot Noir and good quality Chardonnay-based wines. These wines are produced in a specific region of Burgundy, so when you visit it next time remember not to forget to visit the wine production areas!
Cremant here is also varying in taste from styling another fresh and crisp to Southern Burgundy’s fuller and rounder wines, where grapes are known to achieve another level of ripeness. Cremant de Bourgogne feels somewhat similar to Champagne because of its traditional processing method and domination of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay but not in cost as Champagne is more costly and is less complex because of a comparatively short aging period.
3. Crémant de Limoux
To make White and Rosé primarily used grapes are Mauzac or Blanquette, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc,
Produced in the Limoux, a cold high foothill region of Pyrenean Mountains in Southern France and thus named as Cremant De Limoux.
This is commonly made from Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay while Pinot Noir and Mauzac are added as blending vines. The region is not producing wines in recent years but for several years and some extra yet unique traditional technique is used in sparkling wine production here though it is all the same as the traditional and general method of wine production.
4. Crémant de Loire
Grapes used primarily in this are: Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir
Other varieties of grapes used are: Arbois, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pineau d’Aunis, Grolleau, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris
Crémant de Loire is made in the Anjou-Saumur and Touraine regions of the lush Loire Valley.
This variety of Cremant wine is produced in the region of Touraine and Anjou-Saumur in the lush green valley of Loire.
The extraordinary flavor of quince z honey, pear, chamomile, and lemon is added to these extraordinary wines by using Chenin Blanc predominantly in these. Yes, many varieties of grapes are used in producing Cremant but not all. Grapes from the Loire’s Central Vineyard and Sauvignon Blanc are not used in the Cremant production. So if you want to sip these grapes based on Cremant then you have to run to Bordeaux as there only you can have such a combination in Cremant.
Other Types Of Crémant Crémant du Jura,
Crémant de Savoie, Crémant de Bordeaux, and Crémant De Die
Crémant de Bordeaux: Primarily Merlot with a combo of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec, Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc.
Crémant du Jura: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Poulsard, Trousseau, Savagnin, Poulsard PinotGris.
Crémant de Savoie Jacquère, Chardonnay, Aligoté, Chasselas, Altesse
Crémant de Die Primarily Clairette, conceivably with some Aligote, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
A unique taste of cremant can be produced with a large species of certified grapes in the France region. Sometimes it happens that it becomes difficult to identify the region because of the varied styles used to produce the wine. In places such as Bordeaux, these Cremant wines are generally outweighed by the popular white, still red, and sweet wines of these areas. Crema is worth the taste if you ever visit these places.
Why Should You Taste Cremant
So what wines are you planning for the holidays? Give Cremant wine a try and have your taste. Now you might be thinking why should you have a sio of Cremant wine, so below are the reasons for what makes Cremant a preferable choice for wine lovers apart from being a bubbly sparkling bottle which seems funny for some people while opening it with the popping sound of the cork. Now, let’s discuss some qualities of Cremant that will make you lure, these are as follows :
1. Dependable Quality
The best thing is Cremant is also produced with the traditional method like Champagne and earns its bubble in the bottle at the time of second fermentation, no artificial procedure is added in making and thus makes it a quality product. The texture and depth of Cremant are all original after all it has earned it through an intense wait of one year in the bottle before being sold. Nothing extra or artificial is added by the producers to make the bubbles in the wine fast. So, if you want to taste something elegant then this wine is one of the best things to go for!
2. Variety
Cremant has several other varieties made from different kinds of grapes from different regions of France. The five types from which the Cramant is produced are Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. A vast range of textures and styles is available ranging from brut Blanc De Noir to Blanc De Blanc. You decide which one you would like to keep in your wine collection.
3. Price
You might be thinking that when it is made from a traditional method it must be costly and might have some extra charges but you are wrong because the other reason why people choose it is because of its affordability and is worth the price. This is why some individuals keep it in their everyday routine. The reputation of wine is more than the cost and feel blessed that you can get this on a pocket-friendly budget
4. Option To Champagne
It is so close to Champagne that people often tend to confuse and judge both the different products as the same. It is comparatively approachable with some Champagnes as it is produced in the outside regions of Champagne as well. Therefore if you have got bored of trying Champagne but also don’t want to place it with other wine then you must try Cremant as it will be the same yet different thing satisfying your both demands.
5. Perfect Pairing
Cremant can be served with any kind of cuisine and course. This is its special quality and must not be ignored. You don’t have to bother which wine to pair with which cuisine and waste your precious time. So the next time you are unable to set your cuisine and wine, bring Cremant and get free not only on occasions or holidays but daily as well.
Go and enjoy your holidays or celebrate occasions with Cremant wines and pause Champagne for a little while. You’ll be wondering how it tastes the same as Champagne and on a cheap budget don’t forget to share your experience with your wine enthusiast friends and let them know also!
